I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up to No Good: Private message to Neville Longbottom

[alt_terry]

Didn't want to leave you a private comment in Justin's journal, because that would be sort of rude. So am writing to you here.

Look. I get it. I know you're scared. (I figure we're good enough friends by now that you won't get offended if I tell you that, even if you are a Gryffindor. Because you'd have to be an idiot not to be). I loathe the Dark Arts just as much as you do. And that's why I'll help.

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[alt_terry]

Yes. They can. And they do.

The git changed a lot, even in just the years I was with him. Because he was messing around with that stuff all the time. Well, it was the alcohol, too; that didn't help. To be fair, though, he was a really extreme case. Maybe a little mad to begin with, anyway. And he turned even worse after he ate the meat from that unicorn hunt. You remember, your first year?

[alt_neville]

Yeah, well, I'm not saying I'm afraid I'll go as mental as he did. Not exactly.

[alt_terry]

Of course not.

[alt_neville]

It's just that I don't want to mess with anything that he thought was such a bang up idea.

It's not just that, though. It's Professor Dolohov, too. I keep hoping Mum or Dad will send me and Evelyn a letter, giving us more of a clue about him. Because you sort of hinted that he's not the sort of person they'd want teaching us.

So it's not just that I'm afraid I'm going to be sucked in. I also need to keep him from realising how much I don't want anything to do with this stuff. Because that might not be so good for this act I have to put on, that I'll do anything to prove I'm loyal, to live down Mum and Dad. I'm afraid that's not going to be very convincing once he realises I don't want any part of what he's trying to teach.

[alt_terry]

That's another way I can help you, maybe.

If there's one thing I learned, living with the git, it was how to put up a false front. To make him believe things about me that weren't true at all. Of course, the fact that the git had so much contempt for me made it easier in a way. He was mad, and he was dangerous, but he was so sure he was superiour, because of his pure blood, that he assumed I had to be much stupider than I really was. When I acted cowed, he took it at face value.

Don't know if Professor Dolohov will be as easy to fool, though.

[alt_neville]

Guess I'll find out.

[alt_neville]

Huh. Got a letter from them at breakfast, enclosed in one from Gran, which answered some of my questions.

They warn me that Evelyn and I shouldn't try to get out of the class, because it'll draw too much attention. Yeah, that's about what I figured. Mum also said 'Unlike your late professors, Antonin Dolohov is charming, and gives every appearance of being a reasonable person. Make no mistake, however; he is dangerous – and because of his charm, is that much more dangerous than you may expect him to be. I’ve seen his handiwork with my own eyes, and he is capable of unimaginable cruelty. He may single you both out as children of his enemies, and would be the sort of person who would take pride in teaching you something knowing that we would disagree with it. I would suggest that you be respectful of him at all times, and to avoid open disobedience or debate.'

Well, I'm glad they wrote, except maybe I'm even more nervous than ever.

[alt_terry]

That's the advice I'd give you, too: give every signal that you can that you respect him. Like, pay attention all the time in class instead of talking to your friends, that sort of thing. Take lots of notes, and get your essays in on time.