I Solemnly Swear That I Am up to No Good
Aug. 3rd, 2012 12:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_terryAll right. I've something to say, and it may get some of you hacked off at me. I'm sorry, but I have to say it anyway.
Couldn't sleep last night. Woke up from a nightmare about the time the gittook Dudley never mind. Since I couldn't sleep anyway, I stayed up until dawn, rereading journal entries, including Sirius Black's Grim Truths. And what Sally-Anne wrote about what she learned about the cardinal curses. And what you said about the training yesterday, and what Neville said about being on the outside looking in, and the CCF kids being the cool kids. And I'm remembering some the talks the git had late at night with his sister, when they thought I was asleep.
You're my friends, so I feel like I need to warn you as clearly as I can. You are on a really dangerous road. Along with the physical conditioning, and the orienteering, and all the other fun stuff, they're trying to corrupt you. They're trying to get you more comfortable with hurting people. And the further on you go, the more they're going to pressure you. Right now, they're talking 'muggle crowd control,' like you'd just use the stuff they're teaching you if muggles get out of line. I can see it clear as can be. In a couple years, it'll be just because they're muggles. Right now you're participating because it's fun and you're with your friends. Five years from now, it'll be because you need to keep your job. Ten years from now, it'll be because your whole family is counting on you. And you'd better believe that since the stakes are so much higher, the stuff you'll be expected to do is even worse.
I know that some people try to quietly resist. They may decide they have to do some terrible things because it allows them to do some things that can help. From some of what Fred and George have told me, I think their Dad's in that position. If you do that, participate in terrible things because you still hope you can do good, you'd better be bloody sure the trade off is worth it. You have to know that's what you're doing. Because I have to think that's the only justification.
Like I said, you all may get hacked off at me and ask me what right I have to say this. That's fair enough, so I'll tell you. I can tell you this because I'm much further down the road than you. The git wanted to corrupt me. And he did. I've done terrible things, so terrible that I'd never dare to tell you, so don't ask me. I have to find my way back somehow, but it's not easy.
Just...see what's going on. You have to decide what you're willing to do, and for what stakes. Because I have to think a lot of people start down this road without even realising that's what they're doing.
I'm not going to let you off that easy.
Your friend (and I really hope you believe it)
TERRY BOOT
Couldn't sleep last night. Woke up from a nightmare about the time the git
You're my friends, so I feel like I need to warn you as clearly as I can. You are on a really dangerous road. Along with the physical conditioning, and the orienteering, and all the other fun stuff, they're trying to corrupt you. They're trying to get you more comfortable with hurting people. And the further on you go, the more they're going to pressure you. Right now, they're talking 'muggle crowd control,' like you'd just use the stuff they're teaching you if muggles get out of line. I can see it clear as can be. In a couple years, it'll be just because they're muggles. Right now you're participating because it's fun and you're with your friends. Five years from now, it'll be because you need to keep your job. Ten years from now, it'll be because your whole family is counting on you. And you'd better believe that since the stakes are so much higher, the stuff you'll be expected to do is even worse.
I know that some people try to quietly resist. They may decide they have to do some terrible things because it allows them to do some things that can help. From some of what Fred and George have told me, I think their Dad's in that position. If you do that, participate in terrible things because you still hope you can do good, you'd better be bloody sure the trade off is worth it. You have to know that's what you're doing. Because I have to think that's the only justification.
Like I said, you all may get hacked off at me and ask me what right I have to say this. That's fair enough, so I'll tell you. I can tell you this because I'm much further down the road than you. The git wanted to corrupt me. And he did. I've done terrible things, so terrible that I'd never dare to tell you, so don't ask me. I have to find my way back somehow, but it's not easy.
Just...see what's going on. You have to decide what you're willing to do, and for what stakes. Because I have to think a lot of people start down this road without even realising that's what they're doing.
I'm not going to let you off that easy.
Your friend (and I really hope you believe it)
TERRY BOOT
(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-03 10:32 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-03 10:33 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2012-08-03 10:33 pm (UTC)