I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up to No Good: Dean Thomas

[alt_terry]

Dean Thomas wrote a note and left it in the spot where we were exchanged them last year. I wasn't sure it was a good idea, but I left him a short note in answer, saying that I get all about having to have a public face and a private face. But it was getting to the point that his public face made it really hard to believe in his private one, and it's not something I can make a mistake about.

He answered me, saying:

This summer I know I have been a prat, and I am sorry to have disappointed so many. Please tell them I am willing to explain everything to you all in private.

My happiness hinges upon Mr Peake's satisfaction. And in that respect I am not sorry for my actions. I am sorry for disappointing you. I am also saddened by the fact that I have burned bridges, but it had to be done, and there was no way to communicate this in advance. I would like to re-establish those relationships in private, in time.

I will not be forced back into the camps. Therefore I will exhibit extreme loyalty for the protectorate. Do you know that Mr Crouch and Mrs Lestrange were at my party last month, and I am sure they were testing me. My public face must be fool proof.

Please relay the message that I am willing to explain all when you trust that it is safe to do so.

I don't know what I think. I don't know what you all will think, either, but I'm taking him at his word enough to pass it on. Guess this has to do with you the most, Ron, but anyway, that's what he said. Maybe he doesn't dare talk directly with you in your dorm room with Seamus Finnegan there.

Comments

[alt_pansy]

"you all," what did he mean by that?

What does he know about this, and about who else you're talking to? Does he know who we are, exactly?

[alt_sally_anne]

I wondered this, too.

[alt_terry]

Oh, I didn't even think of that.

Well, I reckon it isn't news to anyone that I'm friendly with the Weasleys. Fred and George first, but he probably figures I might talk with Ron, too. I've never told him or even hinted about this group, I promise. Maybe he means Hermione, too, because he knows we're friends.

[alt_ron]

What?!!!

He acts like he knows all about us!

[alt_sally_anne]

It's not that he has a public face and a private face, it's what he does with the public one, like bringing MLE down on Ron this summer! He didn't HAVE to do that. He could've just kept his mouth shut!

If it were just acting like a prat to Ron it would be one thing. But Thomas endangered Ron and I'm not sure he realises that or cares. Or maybe he thinks that the sort of danger a pureblood can get into just doesn't count because it's not the camps (though they've sent purebloods there -- that man who sheltered escapees, for instance. During that camp breakout when Sarah Fawcett's mum was killed. If they hadn't, he'd have gone to Azkaban and I really can't imagine that would be much better, it's guarded by Dementors.)

[alt_sally_anne]

And another thing.

Some people really aren't good at public faces. They say something enough times and they start to believe it.

[alt_ron]

I don't see how he could mean me unless you've told him something, Boot.

The heck?


This had better mean Granger, but I don't see what he wants to say to her in private.

[alt_terry]

No. I absolutely did not.

But remember, he was taken from the camps partly because of your Dad. And everyone knows that Fred and George look out for me, that's no secret.

[alt_ron]

Too right my dad helped get him out of the camps!

But I don't see how that connects me to you. That makes no sense at all.


Look. I've got other probl

I can't write any more right now, but we're not done here.

[alt_ron]

Do you know what he could do to us if you've told about us?

Mr I've got to be extremely loyal to the Protectorate? You know what would make him look really loyal???

[alt_pansy]

Maybe it does mean just the twins and Hermione.

Because that does make sense.

But yeah. I agree, that would be a potential motive. And like Sally-Anne says, sometimes people are really bad at public faces.

[alt_terry]

Anything that he'd do would fall on me first. Before it would get to you. I'll point out that I'm the one most at risk here. I'm the one who's exchanged notes with him...although I didn't sign my name.

He knows nothing about this lock, nothing about the wands, and he doesn't know that we have a way to talk privately. He doesn't have any idea I've exchanged so much as a word with Sally-Anne or Pansy, either.

[alt_gredforge]

Lay off him, Ron. If the Professor says he hasn't told, he hasn't. That's not something he'd make a mistake about.

[alt_sally_anne]

I don't believe Terry would have told.

But I do believe Thomas might have spied.

Could he have SEEN something?

[alt_terry]

Well, I didn't tell.

There's no saying that he means you, specifically. Considering the way that we cooperated enough last year to save his neck last year in Master's class, along with Hermione, I reckon he has an idea that Hermione and I have some friends here. Fred and George for sure, but maybe he didn't mean you at all.

As for him seeing anything...I don't know, but I can't think what it could be. Hermione and I have protective charms all along the corridor leading to our secret classroom to alert us if anyone ever comes there when we're in there working.

[alt_sally_anne]

Alright, let's just say he assumes you're in contact with the Weasley twins or even Ron. Why would he think it's easier for YOU to tell them anything than for HIM to? He shares a House with the entire Weasley family and he shares a dorm room with Ron and he's close to Ginny.

Does he just not care at all about your safety, Terry? Because it's really risky for you to pass messages, or would be if it weren't for the lock!