I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

My mum's birthday is on February 24th. Which is Friday.

I knit her some socks, which I owled to Mrs Weasley for her to deliver but I really wish

I wish I could visit her. Mum, I mean, not Mrs Weasley. A surprise visit. I don't know how I'd manage it. I thought about trying it in the summer once, when I was living with the Woods, because we would go on these long broom rides and Bagwyllydiart is actually sort of close to Wales, but I couldn't think up a good way to leave Oliver behind. And I'd guessed about the Woods and their muggleborns but I had to pretend I didn't know. I sort of hoped I'd get to go back there and maybe, if I lived there for longer, they'd trust me and I could tell them I wanted to go?

But then the Strettons wanted me back and of course it was just as well.

I hate February.

Comments

[alt_justin]

Hullo, Sally-Anne.

I say, I'm sorry you're feeling down. I think there's something going about the castle, what? It's as if Valentine's ending made the rest of the month worse, if you follow me.

I'm sure Mrs Weasley will see that your mother gets the socks, what, and that she knows they're from you.

-Justin

[alt_ron]

Course she will.

[alt_ron]

I don't see how you could go while term's in. I mean, maybe you could go missing during the Task, but- I sort of think people would notice if you weren't there to cheer for Harry or Krum or whoever you're going to-

nevermind

And, um, it's a bloody good thing you didn't tell the Woods. Either thing. That you knew what they were doing or that you wanted to be in touch with your mum even though that's illegal. Because, well, who knows what would've happened after they all got arrested. Or what Wood might've told MLE about you.

It's just good none of them knew.

But, uh. Look. This summer, if you wanted to go, we could totally have a thing at ours like the Quidditch, only flying. Like a surveying challenge to get ready for CCF or whatever. Right? And we could set it up so no one but us would know that you went off to see your mum. We could cover for you and make it seem you were with us the whole time.

Anywiz, it'll be March soon. And you know what that means?

[alt_neville]

I think that's a good idea. Arranging for a summer visit. Do you think Mrs Weasley would be willing to set it up? Or maybe you wouldn't even need to let her know you were arranging it. If she would just pass a package with a message along.

[alt_gredforge]

We bet Mum would be game, if one of us asked her. She thinks that keeping muggleborns from their families is rubbish anyway.

But yeah, if you sent a message with your package, she might not even need to know about it.

[alt_pansy]

I think the less she knew about it the less likely she'd be to get in trouble on account of us.

And I wouldn't want her to get in trouble.

Not like what happened to the Woods.

[alt_sally_anne]

What March means?

Well, International Kiss a Ginger Day, for one thing. Isn't that in March?

[alt_pansy]

Why, I do believe that it is.

[alt_gredforge]

Definitely a holiday which should be celebrated far and wide!

[alt_sally_anne]

And you're right about the Woods, you're right. And I couldn't go during term.

Maybe summer. It's something to think about. I trust your mum not to say anything -- we'd have to let her know at least something, so she'd cover for me if anyone came looking.

Just getting there would be hard, though, they aren't on the floo network (blood-traitor families aren't allowed). When your mum goes she has to apparate. And it would be a really LONG broom ride from the Burrow.

[alt_pansy]

We'll do it.

This summer.

I promise.

If it's riding a broom from the Burrow, we'll do that. And if it's sorting out another way of doing it, we'll take a few days just us and go. After all, my mum won't care where I am, and if you tell the Strettons you're with me, they won't care either.

[alt_sally_anne]

You would like my mum if you met her.

[alt_pansy]

I think I would too.

[alt_terry]

Everybody hates February. You can't be normal and like it, I think.

Maybe when you learn to apparate. I know that'll be awhile from now. But it's something to hang on to until then.

Anyway, I wish your mum happy birthday. I'm sure Mrs Weasley will be sure to deliver your gift. And that'll be something. Knowing she has it.

Believe me, you're lucky to have that much. I know.

[alt_pansy]

May is worse.

But February is nasty and cold and grey, so I don't care much for it either.

[alt_neville]

What could anyone possibly have against May? It's one of my favourite months of the year. My Gran's garden always looks amazing in May.

Private message to Neville

[alt_sally_anne]

May is when Regulus Black died.

Re: Private message to Neville

[alt_sally_anne]

Or disappeared.

I suppose he might still be alive but NO one seems to think so.

Re: Private message to Neville

[alt_neville]

I see.