Private Message to Daphne Greengrass

[alt_blaise]

Say, have you got anything you need to do this evening?

Only, I got an owl from Yaxley this morning, and I really need to think about what she said. With someone I can trust to have good sense. And discretion.

Comments

Private Message to Daphs

[alt_blaise]

Yaxley doesn't like my approach to the competition, and on the one hand, I think that's her lookout. Perhaps she shouldn't have put me forward if she didn't realise what I'd make of it. But she's put the most dire spin on it she can in order to try to manipulate me. She wants me to think about a future where I'd have to kowtow to Weasley and Moon if they get chosen and I don't.

Does anyone seriously think either one of them would be invited into the Council? Seriously? No matter how well they do at casting leg-locker curses, I can't see it. And if they were? Well, I'm not sure it changes my view of things.

Mind you, I have been thinking what will happen when Teds receives His Mark. I mean, we've always known it would happen, or anyway, that he's aiming for it where I really haven't been. But this is all just barely started and it's making him different already. Have you noticed?

I suppose I thought that we'd just go on as we've always been, and having him (and Draco) on the Council would mean I shouldn't need to be. There'd be no point competing with them for the favours they want to earn, and we'd know we could count on one another for whatever might come along. I mean, there are things I can offer without being one of His chosen, you see?

But I'm starting to be unsure. And I'd like to know what you think.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_daphne]

I have some reading I need to finish. I don't suppose that will take all evening, though.

I'm a little confused, what do you mean by "we'd just go on as we've always been?" Are you speaking of all of the Slytherins in our year? You must have noticed by now, Blaise, that nothing goes as planned. Why, I remember Jason five years ago - I had no notion that he aspired to join the council, and in fact, I don't think that he did. But now he's there and Alfred wants to be, too.

I suppose we all knew that Teddy and Draco would end up their because of their Fathers, but their positions have shifted, haven't they? Draco would have never dreamed of having to compete for his spot before, and Teddy probably didn't think he would have to, either. So nothing is certain, you see.

Only what is it you're unsure about? If you should really put your all into this? Or stand aside and let the cards fall where they may?

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_blaise]

What would you do if you'd got one of the pins?

You're not sorry you didn't, are you?

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_daphne]

I would have done what I suppose at least half of you are doing: try not to make a fool of myself while not standing out too much, either.

And no, I'm not sorry. Do you think Padma is? That she did get one, I mean.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_blaise]

I've no idea. She acts as if she's thrilled. And, of course, as long as it's anything at all academic or skill-related, she won't be able to tolerate the idea of earning low marks. And if it seems to her that it's a social opportunity, she's going to grasp it, too.

That's wearing.

I expect we'll have a major row sooner or later over it.

She can't think why I'm not throwing my every talent into running after it.

Only that brings me back to what I was saying about Teds. I always expected it would be perfectly all right to let them follow their path and that mine was simply different. And I suppose I expected that he'd be pleased now if I'd step aside and not compete for this because I don't want to get in his way. Or Draco's. Really, it's theirs to have, isn't it?

Only, Teddy... now it's as if he thinks everyone ought to see the Council as the only path, and if one doesn't, one's beneath contempt. I don't want him thinking I'm fair game.

So then if I need to actually try for this, well. That changes everything. Rather permanently.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_daphne]

You know, for someone so clever, Padma can be utterly daft.

Draco won't look down on you if you stand aside a little bit - though to be honest he might rather you join up with him than Teddy.

But then Teddy is only one person. And he's Welsh. Will you really lose all that much sleep if he decides to sneer under his nose at you? The Blaise I've always known would have no trouble holding himself against that, not at all.

Re: Private Message to Daphs

[alt_blaise]

Well, if it were sneering, I'd laugh.

But it's likely to be eviscerating, instead. Or bloodletting. At least we're not living up a tower, because then it might be defenestrating.

As for Draco, I told him at the start that he's only to say if there's something he needs from me.

I suppose that means I have to give the next challenge a more robust effort.

Bother.