Private Message to Sally-Anne

[alt_michael]

(It's all right if someone wants to make me read this out but I'd rather they didn't.)

Look, I'm sorry.

Can we talk about it? After supper?

Comments

[alt_sally_anne]

Are you apologising because you think you were wrong, or are you apologising because you want me to stop being cross?

[alt_michael]

Wot?

Since when is it wrong to care what happens to you?

I know that you can take care of yourself but that doesn't mean I'm supposed to stand by and let you make a mistake.

Look, I really think we should talk about it.

[alt_sally_anne]

It's one thing to care what happens to me.

It's another not to trust me.

It's not a 'mistake' when you've thought something through, and considered what could happen if you do something, and also considered what's going to happen if you DON'T do something.

[alt_michael]

I never said I don't trust you!!

Only, it's not just you, is it?

[alt_sally_anne]

Let's talk about something else.

Like Arithmancy. Did you go to Linus for help, in the end?

[alt_michael]

Fine. But we're not done.

And yes, I did do. He's mad, giving everyone individual tutoring, but as long as he's willing, I'll let him.


What did you do in Creatures?

[alt_sally_anne]

Petted things, naturally.

Only not really, because some of what we're studying could take off your arm.

How have you been revising Potions? That's the OWL I'm most worried about.

[alt_michael]

Well, I've been making note cards with the ingredients on one side and the brewing instruction on the other.

Did Professor Slughorn tell you that the Potions classroom's available some nights for extra revising? He told us, but you have to have a NEWT-level student if he's not there himself.

[alt_sally_anne]

Oh, yes. So he mentioned to us. Aurelia Archer supervised the other night for me and Pansy.

[alt_michael]

As if she needs the help.

[alt_sally_anne]

Pansy?

No. She's really very good at Potions. She said she could use the extra practise but I think mostly she wanted to keep me company.

[alt_sally_anne]

Anyway.

It's not just about me, no.

[alt_michael]

Yeah, that's what I was saying earlier, Sals, that it's not. And the thing is...ugh, you'll get cross again when I say this but look: You can't start thinking you're protected just because you've got powerful mates.

I thought Teds was a mate. Well, you see how that worked out. And I know you think they'll stand by you no matter what but you don't know that, not for sure. Not if it got...really bad.

If it's a choice between you and getting chucked out of their families or something, how do you know what they'll choose?

[alt_sally_anne]

Pansy would choose me.

Teddy was a friend, sure.

He wasn't a friend like Pansy.

[alt_michael]

Well, that's just bloody great, then, innit.

[alt_sally_anne]

See, this is exactly the sort of thing I meant when I said you don't trust me. You don't trust my judgment. You don't trust that I don't take risks for stupid reasons.

[alt_michael]

That's not the point. At All.

Nor what I meant.

[alt_sally_anne]

Well what exactly did you mean then, since apparently I'm missing your point?

[alt_michael]

My point?

My point is you're as Slytherin as they come. Fine. It's all very well for you, then, since you've got a rich, influential bestie who apparently (according to you) shall obviously turn her back on everything that makes her important and safe in order to protect you?

Well, lucky you.

You know what? Just forget it.

[alt_sally_anne]

Would you have preferred that I leave you out? Of everything, I mean.

Because that would be ever so much SAFER for you.