I Solemnly Swear That I am Up to No Good: Interview with Professor Dolohov

[alt_neville]

I had my interview with Professor Dolohov last night. It went okay, I guess. It lasted maybe ten or fifteen minutes. He was friendly to me, I was polite to him, and did everything I could to make him believe I wasn't really worth his time.

I told him I want to go into Herbology with an eye toward developing Potions ingredients.

Professor Carrow's name came up, and I said he didn't like me because he always said I was stupid.

I made it clear that I would prefer to be put in the theoretical class. He said it has more reading, and the practical one was 'more fun.' I said I'd think about it.

I've done all the thinking I need to do. It'll be the theoretical class for me. Even if I do have to read an extra bunch of ruddy books.

Comments

Private Message to Neville

[alt_evelyn]

I'm glad your meeting wasn't scary bad.

And it'll be okay, Pete.

Promise.

You want to go for a walk after dinner today?

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_neville]

A walk would be good, but it'll have to be a short one if we're going to go to this gathering for Hermione's birthday. I can talk with you more, so you'll have a little better idea of what to expect when he interviews you.

I suppose he thought I was pretty dense. I was concentrating on keeping my occlumency shields up. Still have no idea if he has a smidgen of that talent, but I'm not taking any chances.

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_evelyn]

A short walk sounds lovely.

What do you think

What would happen if he used it on me?

I know everything you know.

He might not have it. And if he does, he probably wouldn't bother. But I hadn't thought of that.

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_neville]

Well, I don't have any reason to think he is a legilimens. I bet we would have heard about it if he was. I'm just being cautious. Besides, it was good practice.

I don't mean to make you more nervous. One thing I'll say for him, he goes out of his way to put you at ease. Anyway, we can talk about it tonight.

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_evelyn]

I'd like that.

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_evelyn]

And I'm invited?

To the party?

I don't have any proper present, but I could give her one of my books. Does she like books? And does she have a place she can keep gifts? A place Harry Marvolo wouldn't find?

I haven't really talked to her before. Even over this. Are you sure she'd want me there? Is everyone else coming too?

I'm sorry.

I guess I'm nervous.

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_neville]

Of course you're invited, Lindy. C'mon, it'll be okay, promise. These are good friends, and Hermione's sweet as can be. You'll like her. And sure, she'd love a book. She can keep it in her secret classroom. We can give her one together, maybe.

Re: Private Message to Neville

[alt_evelyn]

All right. I can use that stationary Gran gave me to make a card we can both sign.

[alt_justin]

Hallo, Neville,

Your interview only lasted a quarter of an hour? I say, that's well lucky. I must have been in there for about three times that, what, but it felt ever so much longer. I suppose verbal fencing will create the impression that time is standing still.

I can only imagine how our chats with Madam Umbridge shall go. I expect it'll be much worse, though; I will say that as dangerous as I think Professor Dolohov can be, at least he treats one like an adult.

I had been thinking of the theoretical class myself but after speaking with him--I've a feeling that not taking the practical section would be a mistake.

I say, did he seem to push you more in one direction than the other, then? I asked him, specifically, how many people he had recommended take the theory over the spellwork, what. Of course, at that time he'd only conducted ten interviews or so, but he did tell me that he wasn't going to argue as forcibly with everyone about taking the practical lessons. I say, I was actually surprised to hear it.

-Justin

[alt_neville]

I wonder if there might not be a lot more pressure on you to take the practical, yeah, given your status as a recent defector. I guess that really puts you in the spotlight. Me, I come from a bloodtraitor family. They tell themselves that anyone who resisted the Lord Protector must've been stupid, and if they think that about my parents, I'm willing to let them assume it about me. (Never mind that my parents were both aurors, and they only took the best.)

I don't envy you having to deal with Madam Umbridge. She sounds like a nightmare.

private message to Justin-finch Fletchley

[alt_neville]

I did hear a little about the last class you had with him. It sounds like you set him back on his heels a bit. You okay?

Re: private message to Justin-finch Fletchley

[alt_justin]

Neville,

Oh, you mean Monday's lesson? Sorry, I didn't mean to ignore you; I hadn't seen this comment last night.

But I'm really quite all right. Thanks for asking. If you're wondering, Professor Dolohov has been extremely clear that he shan't retaliate against his pupils.

To be honest I think the person who had the worst time of it was Teddy Nott, what? I've no idea what he meant to try but he didn't announce it and--well, as soon as he shouted (I've never heard the spell before, it wasn't Latin and it wasn't Greek, though, what?), Professor Dolohov blocked with all his might. I say, it was impressive.

As impressive as our Hermione last night. Did you see that charm she cast? I say, it's well intolerable she has to practise in secret.

I wonder if she might use that same room from time to time. How many people do you think know about it?

-Justin

Re: private message to Justin-finch Fletchley

[alt_neville]

Hermione was dead amazing last night. Just think: if the world was run the way it should be, the way it used to be run, she would have been one of my Housemates. It's just rotten that she has to scrabble about in secret to learn what she can.

Dunno who might know about the room. I've never heard anyone mention it before.