Order Only: Private Message to Hermione Granger and Harry Marvolo

[alt_severus]

Hermione, now might be an appropriate time for you to become more open with your cohort than you have historically been.

We do not have time for children weeping and wailing over imagined losses.

Comments

[alt_hermione]

How did you know Neville was worried?!

I already told him. Please don't tell his mum and dad though—I know I'm allowed but it's so strange to be able to talk about it, and I don't know if they'd think it was right for me to do it, or else they would've told me to.

[alt_severus]

Mr Longbottom is not a stupid boy. He loves his parents very much. That much is clear from our lessons.

I shall not tell any one any thing you do not wish. Let it never be said that I do not know how to keep a confidence. I believe, however, that Mr Longbottom's parents simply did not think of the possibility of your involvement. You do not often communicate with them.

[alt_hermione]

Well, what do I have to say to them anyway?? 'Hullo, shined some shoes today, learned some more Occlumency but I'm still terrible at it, also some Potions, I'm better at those, and Harry says hello, or he would if he knew you existed, and Neville's grown an inch," or something? That would be ever so dull.

[alt_severus]

'Dull' in the eyes of a mother is something very different than 'dull' in the eyes of a sensible human being.

[alt_hermione]

Alice is perfectly sensible!

[alt_severus]

I believe I know better than you do what constitutes 'sense.'

When I was your age, we referred to our elders as 'Mrs Longbottom' and 'Mr Longbottom.'