alt_lavender | Lovegood

I got an owl from Mummy at breakfast, and it's true. We're going to be fostering Lovegood. Mummy says it's our Wizarding Duty because Lovegood's mother was Daddy's third cousin once removed, and the Protectorate wants her to be with a relative.

I still don't see why she can't go off and live with the Weasleys; she's friends with them, they want to have her, and if she ended up living in a closet or something it would be her look-out.

But I suppose we have to do our Duty.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

From:

alt_padma

Oh, Lav, I'm sorry. It's rather odd, I agree, but I'm sure they had their reasons (and I'm sure we can guess what some of those reasons are).

Besides, if the Ministry asked your family, I don't see how you can say No. Like when they needed people's owls - it's sort of the same thing.

I'm really more surprised at Thomas, I thought he knew better by now. I'm sorry I wasn't about more to help. I had the headache last night and had to go to bed.

But you and Parvati can meet me after lunch and we can talk about how to make ~~Loony~~ Lovegood feel welcome. I mean, she did just lose her father, and halfblood or not, that's nothing to be cruel about.

Oh, Su Li asked if she could come, she has some ideas, too. You'll quite like her, really, I hadn't really got to know her before

Before a few weeks ago. But she's really quite interesting. And she can tell us all about her foster family, so you'll know what to do and make it not be so terribly awkward.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Well, if they're asking Su Li for advice that's something.

Su Li helped Padma when she ambushed me and Pansy that day. So she's on Padma's good side. But she's a halfblood, too, and in fostering. I don't think her family's as awful as Megan Jones' old lady but I don't think they're as nice as Mr Rosier is to Finnigan, either. If Lavender decides that being kind to Luna is her Duty as a Responsible Upstanding Young Person, there are worse things. At least Luna might get some nice clothes out of the bargain.

From:

alt_ron

Speaking of Jones, d'you remember what they did to her? You don't think that's what they're getting together to plan--ways to make Luna feel 'welcome' so then they can turn around and make her feel really small for assuming they like her?

Although. It's Luna. I don't think they'll find it very easy to pull that sort of nonsense on her. I bet it's no fun when the person just never gets fussed at all.

From:

alt_sally_anne

They might be, but you're right. Megan Jones pretty much handed them a knife and then turned around and moved her hair out of the way so they could stab her in the back with it. I don't really see Luna being that stupid.

From:

alt_dean

Patil,

You are surprised at me. I haven't any idea for what. I told her to let it go, to leave Ginny alone. I think I know her better than you two do, and I know what she can do.

Brown just needs to learn how to let things go.

And then she started with all that other madness.

From:

alt_padma

What she can do? What's that, exactly? I'm surprised at you, Thomas, because I thought you had more sense. Weasley's the one you ought to be telling to let it go - Lavender's done nothing wrong, and certainly nothing mad at all.

Lovegood needn't be happy about it, any more than Lavender, but your little friend seems determined to make out like Lav's going to treat Lovegood no better than a house elf - or a mudblood! It's utterly ridiculous.

From:

alt_dean

She's just upset. Luna and Ginny are like sisters. But honestly Brown did sound as if she was disgusted about it last night.

And I have to disagree Browns suggestions about Ginny and I were mad.

And Ginny will let it go, a few days without her journal will allow her to clear her head. She has given it to me for safe keeping. She wont get it back til the end of the week. Just let your friend to keep comments that can be interpreted multiple ways to herself.

And as far as what she can do, lets just say- don't tempt her.

From:

alt_percy

Thank you, Dean.

From:

alt_lavender

Well, I'm glad I talked to you, but...

...I just wish things didn't have to change and be different. Home is supposed to stay just the same, you know.

From:

alt_molly

?A THIRD COUSIN, ONCE REMOVED? AND THEY PUT THAT--THAT ABOVE US?? A FAMILY WHO LOVES HER?!

Prating about duty, when ANY family with a heart would PROUD to claim her as their own and see what a wonderful girl she is. Oh, Arthur!

From:

alt_luna

Well, it's any comfort, it looks like we do see eye to eye about things. So that's good.

I'd certainly prefer living with the Weasleys if it were left up to me, too. Actually, their closets are really very nice. Mrs Weasley always puts sachets in them stuffed with lavender from her garden, and so they smell lovely.

From:

alt_neville

Well, that's one in the eye for Lavender...to be told living in a closet would be preferable to living with her!

From:

alt_molly

Oh, but this made me laugh. Good for you, dear girl!

From:

alt_molly

Well, if you did come to live with us, of course you wouldn't live in a closet! You'd share a room with Ginny, just as you did when you used to stay over.

(I can sent you a lavender sachet that you can keep in your trunk. I'll include it with the next owl post.)

From:

alt_ginny

I can make sure you end up living in a closet if you like. My room is plenty big enough for the both of us. She would be better off with us anyway than with people who don't want her and would abuse her.

If status makes you nasty, believe me we don't want it you spineless brown girl.

From:

alt_sally_anne

My goodness, Ginny. I'm sure the Browns won't abuse her. Do you really think it's going to make things better for Luna if you're rude to Lavender?

From:

alt_ginny

Abuse takes many forms Sally Anne. Clearly if the living situation makes her feel unwanted, its not a healthy environment. And Lavender deserves what she gets if she can't keep some thoughts private. Clearly what she is writing is just a sample of whats to come for my dear friend.

Just because all looks well on the outside, doesn't mean there is not something wrong.

From:

alt_sally_anne

Whichever one of you Gryffindors is reading this, please tell Ginny that if she goes on like this she's going to make it a lot less likely that the Browns will let Luna visit you on holidays. It is also entirely within their power to forbid Luna from receiving owls from Mrs Weasley, at least openly.

Ginny insulting Lavender is only going to make things WORSE for Luna, not BETTER. I'd say it to Ginny myself but I don't want to give them (the Browns I mean) any ideas.

From:

alt_neville

I'll tell her. Right away.

From:

alt_padma

That's not what Lavender was saying at all!

As for things looking well on the outside, but being wrong on the inside, perhaps you ought to go up to Matron to get your head examined, Weasley.

From:

alt_sally_anne

And you might also tell her not to lecture a fostered halfblood on the subject of abusive foster homes and unhealthy environments.

From:

alt_neville

Um. Yeah. Definitely.

From:

alt_sally_anne

I expect she's been talking to Dean Thomas.

I don't think his foster father is very kind to him.

Which should give her an idea of how much worse it can be than the Browns, really.

From:

alt_padma

She wasn't being nasty at all, Weaslette. It's you're the one being nasty. The Browns would never abuse her - what's wrong with you for even suggesting such a thing?

I thought Thomas was supposed to be teaching you a thing or two about how to get along, but obviously, he's failed miserably. Maybe you've fallen and knocked your head so many times this year that you've become permanently addled.

From:

alt_ginny

I respect you Padma. But Brown has made it clear since last night that she doesn't want Luna around. I can't see why you defend her. I guess its not my place to understand your relationship, because I could never understand why someone so potentially successful as you would have someone as silly as her as a friend.

I thought successful people only hung around those that could help build them up.

I will leave it be for now, but I have my eyes open on the situation. If Luna tells me one bad thing...

I will let this matter rest for now.

From:

alt_sally_anne

If Luna tells her one bad thing then WHAT? WHAT does she think she's going to do, storm in with her wand and cruciate them all?

From:

alt_neville

She's as stubborn as Ron when her blood is up.

(No offence, Ron.)

From:

alt_padma

Oh, for Lakshmi's sake!

How is it that when you or your mum or any of your brothers say that it's disappointing that she can't come live with you, that's okay, but when Lavender says it doesn't make sense to her, either, she's suddenly telling Lovegood she doesn't want her about?

You'll leave it be? You've got your eye on things? Just exactly what do you think they'll do - and what on earth do you think you'd do about it, if it's not precisely to your liking? Faint dead away?

Last I heard, Mr and Mrs Brown don't have to answer to one little ginger girl who can't even buy her own sweets. So yeah, you'd better shut it.

From:

alt_dean

Oh not you now too. For someone as sophisticated as you, I think you would know when someone is talking out of anger. Leave Ginny be.

And not to be rude, but I think you know that the amount of money one has, has nothing to do with their level of magical skill.

From:

alt_padma

No, but it certainly has something to do with how well the Browns can provide for Lovegood - when Mrs Weasley's always writing about how hard they struggle to get decent food on the table. It's no wonder the Ministry worried about giving them another mouth to feed.

And it's certainly got something to do with how much influence and power Weasley has or doesn't have over the Ministry - or the Browns - to change anything if it's the way they want it.

From:

alt_dean

That maybe so, but I have met Mr Weasley, and he is a decent man. His children may not have the things they want, but no one can say that their needs are not met.

Lets just drop this mess for Merlin's sake. Its no need to get worked up over things we can't control. And, please don't direct another comment at Ginny, for anyone reading this. I have her journal and she wont get it back until she has cooled off for a while.

That is an agreement she has made with me as her friend. I think being in this castle for so long as made us all a little mental. The smallest spark can start a fire.

From:

alt_percy

Enough, Patil. My sister's disappointment and distress over these developments may have caused her to...overstate. But as Luna herself has sensibly said, I'm sure that everyone involved in this will comport themselves respectably. Luna will no doubt be fine, despite her recent losses.

From:

alt_luna

I'm sure I won't have to tell you about any bad thing, and everything will be fine, Ginny. I know your parents are trying to change things, but if they can't we'll still see each other at school, and perhaps we'll have visits and things.

From:

alt_lavender

Honestly, we're not going to beat her.

Your constant outrage is getting rather dull.

From:

alt_dean

Talk about dull. Are you dim witted? I asked every one to not direct any other comments at her. Just leave it be.

From:

alt_lavender

I'm not thick, Thomas, I just chose to ignore you.

After all, she came into my journal and threw a fit and all but accused my parents of being child abusers.

From:

alt_dean

Aren't you supposed to be the mature one out of the two of you? or do you just like egging on the firsties?

From:

alt_lavender

I didn't see a Prefect badge on your robes last I checked, Thomas.

From:

alt_lana

Honestly, Brown.

It's bad form to be going on and on like this. It's your place to be gracious and rise above the petty name-calling and mud-slinging. Your parents are playing a most admirable and honourable part in support of Our Lord's plan for His realm. You should follow them in setting an example to others.

I do wear a Prefect's badge, and I'm asking you to remember yourself.