Order Only: Private message to Alice Longbottom and Charlie Weasley

[alt_bill]

This isn't a Cardinal report, but it is a report of a meeting I had with Auror Lamont outside of the work arena. Since I want to keep things on the up and up with you with regard to any significant contact I have with her, I'm writing this to keep you apprised. In return, I need to ask for some delicacy on your part, with regard to Ron and Justin.

You see, she mentioned in passing to me that she appeared at Hogwarts at a YPL meeting to talk with the students about the Auror career. In the course of our exchange, she also mentioned that she'd met Ron--because he was a candidate interviewing for an internship over the winter holidays. Justin Finch-Fletchley was the other candidate. They were nominated because of their performance at CCF last summer.

Did you know this? Ron hadn't said anything to me about it.

It occurred to me that this could present an opening for me to pump her about Auror training, you know, in the guise of the big brother interested in what his younger brother was contemplating for a career. Maybe I could get her impressions of the capabilities of a number of the Aurors while I was at it. So I invited her to go with me to the zoo yesterday and we talked.

Now, as to the need for delicacy: as Ron's interview was the impetus for my meeting with Auror Lamont, and I feel I do need to report to you whenever I meet with Auror Lamont, this unfortunately thrusts me into the role of being a bit of a tale-bearer. I asked Ron about the interview when he replied to Mum's journal entry about my birthday. I told him I wouldn't tell Mum about it, as it was his business (and I haven't), but I asked if he had told you. He hasn't replied yet. I do think you should know that two members of the Junior Auxiliary are being considered for this, but if Ron (or Justin) follow through and tell you, I'd really appreciate it if you don't let on that I told you about it first. Ron can be extremely prickly when he thinks I'm doing anything that smacks of stepping into Dad's role (especially since I handled things so badly last December) or questions his choices, so it's entirely conceivable he would resent me telling you this. I don't know. Perhaps he doesn't think it's necessary because he doesn't know yet whether he'll receive the internship--but if he doesn't Justin will (if I'm right and there are only two candidates). I'd rather you were not blindsided by this.

Anyway: I've drafted a written report of what I've gleaned from the conversation about current training procedures and her remarks about MLE personnel which I will bring to you sometime this week and we can talk further. I think you and Frank will find it interesting. Kingsley, Turner and Davidson should probably take a look at it, too.

Comments

[alt_alice]

Thank you, Bill. I appreciate the information, and if they do decide to talk to me about it, your telling me about it in advance won't be necessary to discuss with them.

[alt_alice]

Ron's written Albus and myself, and has told us about the internship.

I'd like you to find out more about it from your source, if you could. What all it entails, and what sort of potential security risks we might face.

I suggested he might talk to you about your experiences working at the Ministry, if only to get a sense of perspective about what sort of pressures he can expect to face.

I know your first impulse is to try and dissuade him from going down this particular road, but I've a feeling that would backfire rather spectacularly.

If he does talk to you, it might do you both some good if you were honest with him about some of the things you've found difficult, and what you've struggled with, and let him come to his own conclusions about his suitability for that sort of environment.

Remember, love, part of what you're trying to work through is your desire for control -- and Ron has been part of that. He's an Order member in his own right, and as such has the right to make decisions about his future.

[alt_bill]

This may astonish you, but my first impulse isn't to try to talk him out of it. Ron's made it clear that he doesn't want me trying to act as if I know better than him. He wants badly to help and to be treated as the near-adult that he is. A two or three week stint observing MLE in an office setting is a lot less hair-raising than any number of schemes he could dream up on his own. If it whets his appetite for more rubbing shoulders with MLE, well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

I am trying to become less of a control freak, I promise, Alice. I want a better relationship with my brother while I'm at it, and if that means opening myself up to share some of the things I've had to do, even the more ugly ones, so be it. He was one of the best in the CCF class.

And Dad taught him how to play chess, same as me.

[alt_alice]

Good to hear.

Keep in mind that part of this involves giving him space to tell me things in his own time, rather than telling me things on his behalf.

I know, you wanted to check in about your source, and your intentions were to keep me informed and prepared, but it'd be to your benefit in the future to trust Ron's instincts and let him speak for himself without the need for prompting.

And to be fair, Bill, he might not be of legal age yet, but he has adult responsibilities and duties, and is a full member of the Order. I'd say adult, full-stop.

[alt_bill]

Ouch.

All right, so noted. In my own defence, I wouldn't have said anything if it hadn't been that I felt I had to report on my meeting with Rachel, and the reason for it.

Bloody hell. Negotiating the lines here is tricky. Like I said, I'm trying.