Private Message to Daphne Greengrass

[alt_blaise]

Has your turn come up to answer questions yet? Mine was pretty bland. I mean, I've got to write out a list of all the people I can think of who associated with Draco and a list of dates for parties we were both at and any other kind of gathering. And they wanted to know if I'd ever heard or seen anything to suggest that he's got perverse interests.

And they asked about Teds, but really, what's there to say? Aside from telling them if they were looking for someone with 'varied tastes', Teds would've been more likely than Draco.

I'm thinking I'll ask the elves to bring tea to the common room. It's quiet in there now everyone's gone. Care to join me?

Comments

[alt_daphne]

I've already been questioned once but they've said they'll want to speak to me again. I don't know why. I didn't ask.

I told them that everything was good between Draco and me, of course, and that if he was behaving differently, it was only because Teddy was plaguing him so.

That's what they called it? "Varied tastes?" That's not how they referred to it to me. Is that because it's something all men have passing fancies about? Someone beneath them whom they can control absolutely? Sounds right up Barney's pitch.

[alt_blaise]

I expect they're viewing your information as a touchstone against which to measure the reliability of others' statements. You've known him so long and have been so closely tied, it only makes sense they'd draw on you as a resource. Or-?

Teds was always competitive. And keen to a fault when something sparked his interest. Or someone.

They do have rather a lot of euphemisms of that sort. (A dance down the lane; A bit o' rough; A turn to the common.) But with a mudblood? That's well beyond the pale of those sayings.


And no, I shouldn't say all men fancy that. Some of us, at least, have standards.

[alt_daphne]

Yes. So closely tied.

It was only a matter of time before Teddy stuck his wand in the wrong nest of hornets. I heard he bled out almost completely. There was a massive stain on the lawn before they covered it. I wonder what spell Draco used.

Well, it seems to me they're trying to find out if the mudblood was controlling him. Draco, I mean. And they think she was working for Snape. I just... It's not that she's a mudblood I can't imagine anyone, any female, really getting control of Draco through such means. Draco wasn't even under Harry's thumb. Sometimes it seemed like the other way 'round, even.

So it all must be some kind of misunderstanding.

[alt_blaise]

Of course it is. Of course.

But, Daphs. You can't be sentimental about it. You know sometimes matters like this become a vortex that drags people from well outside down into difficulty. If they've somehow got it twisted round, there's nothing you can do for him by sticking. He'd be the first to tell you to protect your own position. You do understand that, right?

[alt_daphne]

What exactly are you trying to say, Blaise?

[alt_blaise]

When they call you back, if it seems they're turning on you, say whatever you have to so they'll see that whatever they've decided about Draco, you never knew any of it or had anything to do with it.


I don't want anything to happen to you.

[alt_daphne]

I didn't know any of it or have anything to do with it, so what else could I possibly tell them?

[alt_blaise]

No, of course you didn't. If there is even an 'it' to tell.

But, Daphs, it may not matter. That's what I'm saying. If they twist things round, and you know that sometimes happens--it all depends on what they're hearing from other people--if they do come back to you and seem to have got the wrong end of the abraxan, then I'm saying it could go badly for you if you're too soft on Draco. If you're too keen to set them straight by defending him. If you hold too tightly to a notion of loyalty.

Because if it comes to it, loyalty's an abstract thing, and it may be priced too, too far above value.

Only, you see, Draco's not here to answer for himself, and that's why they could so easily get things wrong. And if they do, I don't want you to be tangled up in it. That's all.

What if it's a long time before they find him to ask him their questions?

That doesn't bear thinking.

[alt_daphne]

I'm NOT defending him

It's MLE. They're professionals at this, and I've nothing to hide. So. I wish you'd stop trying to make me more anxious than I already am, because even if I've got nothing to hide MLE aren't starting with that assumption. I was his girlfriend they think

[alt_blaise]

If there's one thing I'm sure of in all this, it's that you've got nothing to hide.

I can't promise I'll stop worrying for you, but I promise not to say anything more about it.


Would you do me the honour of having supper with me?

[alt_daphne]

I'm not very hungry. But I can manage sitting. And staring at food.