I Solemnly Swear I Am Up to No Good: Secrets

[alt_susan]

Hello everyone,

Neville and Pansy told me all about you last night and I...I don't know quite what to say, except that I'm awfully honoured that you've trusted me with it.

I've got to say, when you both wanted to take a walk round the lake, I suspected something was in the cauldron, but nothing like this. It's bloody amazing is what it is.

So here are my secrets--I hope they're enough.

First of all, my parents don't support the Lord Protector--they raised us on the original Beedle stories, and loads of Muggle literature, and told us all about how things used to be different, as soon as we were old enough to understand them, and to understand that we absolutely could not tell other people ever.

And they told us the real story about my Great-Aunt Amelia--that she was loyal to Dumbledore and especially to the rule of the law and no one person being in charge of things. I think Dad sometimes feels like she should have put the family (and Aunt Mina) first, but he always says that she did what she felt was right in an incredibly difficult situation.

They've never actually done anything officially against the government, except teach us, but even so, Mum could lose her job at the very least if anyone found out. The Ministry probably couldn't do anything to Dad directly, but they could probably lean on the Cannons' owner to sack him or get Mr Bagman to ban him from the pitch. I don't know if it would be enough to get us put into fostering, but it might. I'm sure that's a big part of why Mum and Dad've never risked anything more; well, and they don't approve of violence like those awful Dogstar people.

And if that's not enough of a secret, here's one more:

I found out this summer that my Great-Aunt Amelia and my Aunt Mina were more than just good friends who shared a flat--they were Daughters of Artemis. Sapphists.

I had a long talk with Aunt Mina--it explained so much, and not just about them. About me.

I mean to say...I'm pretty sure I fancy girls.

And boys, too, yeah.

Comments

[alt_justin]

Hello, Sue,

I say, I wondered what you were doing taking so many notes in History of Magic! Now I know, what?

I'm well glad we've got you on the lock, though. I rather suspected you were the right sort--not that it's obvious to anyone who'd make trouble for you, please don't misunderstand me that way. Zach clearly thinks highly of you and your family and I've never heard a breath of anything from anyone else, what. But one can tell that you don't rush to judge, if you follow me.

You'll no doubt want to read back in the journals like I did, I should think, but it can be rather a lot to absorb. Find me in the sett if you want to talk about...anything. I say, it's quite good to have another badger here, though.

-Justin

[alt_susan]

Ha! It's good to have at least one lesson where we can do pretty much whatever we like.

Thanks, Justin! I have a feeling I've loads to catch up on--it's like finding a secret world inside a nutshell, or something like that.

And yes, it'll be good to talk about this with someone else in the sett--I do love it here and can't imagine being any other house, but sometimes I feel guilty about wanting something--more? different? I don't know.

[alt_neville]

It was a good talk.

I'm glad you're in.

[alt_neville]

And...whoa.

[alt_susan]

I'm glad too...Whoa??

[alt_neville]

Sorry. I just meant, yeah, I'm sure that this'll be good enough. For a secret.

And welcome again to the Lock.

[alt_susan]

'm not mad, just twitting you a bit!

I can still do that, right?

[alt_pansy]

Welcome to the lock, Sue. I'm glad you could be a part of it.

[alt_pansy]

Oh, and now that you're on this thing and I know we can talk properly without having to worry, I can finally share my record collection with you.

Including the ones I'm not supposed to have.

Have you ever heard of Pink Floyd? or The Doors?

[alt_susan]

Oooh, brilliant! I know there are lots of serious things to think about, but...records!

And no, I can't say I have--I get the impression my mum and dad were always pretty sober types, even when they were young.
Not so much into music and things--though Mum still has some by this bloke called Cliff Richards, that I always thought were a bit soppy.

[alt_pansy]

I think you'll really like them. If you've got free time this weekend, we could listen to some of them if you'd like.

[alt_susan]

Sounds brill!

[alt_ron]

Hi, Sue.

Um. Glad you're here. Really.

And, uh, you didn't actually have to tell us all you did. I mean. Professor Grubbly-Plank? Really, I'm glad I didn't see this before I had Creatures today.

You're not just having us on, are you?

[alt_susan]

Ron! Don't make me come over to Gryffindor and, I dunno, turn your hair green or something!

I promise, I'm not having you on. I've seen, y'know, letters and things. Love letters.

[alt_ron]

Could you make it Cannons orange or Gryff red?

I mean, GREEN isn't my favourite, yeah?

And you can stop now. Right? I don't want to know what any of my teachers gets up to. I mean, including Professor Raz and Professor Siz, which it seems everywitch wants to chat about all the bloody time. It's just, ughhly, y'know? So I don't really care about Professor G-P, but I don't want know about, either.

[alt_susan]

The unfavouriteness (is that a word?)--that's the point, yeah!

She is my Aunt and all and I won't have anyone slagging her...but yes, I know, it's a bit like thinking about my mum and dad, and...stopping now.

[alt_pansy]

I think you made up a brand new word, tuna lips. Ughhly. It works. I like it.

[alt_ron]

Yeah, I'm clever like that.

And it's useful for a tonne of things, don't you think?

That Charms essay we've got. The diagram we're meant to draw of the inside of a Porlock's mouth. Tonight's supper. Umbridge.

[alt_luna]

Glad to have you joining us.

[alt_susan]

I'm glad to see you here too! It's good that several of us have Teatime in common, isn't it?

That way no one'll be too suspicious of us talking, I hope.

[alt_hydra]

Hello, Susan.

I'm glad that Justin will have other Hufflepuffs here, now.

[alt_susan]

Hello, Hydra.

Feels a bit odd, not calling you Lestrange, but if this isn't a reason to use given names, I don't know what is.

[alt_hydra]

You can call me Lestrange if it feels better? I'm the newest here, after Evelyn and you. The boys must feel well-outnumbered by now. Do you suppose girls are more likely to be rebellious than boys are? Sometimes I do wonder.

[alt_sally_anne]

I think it's more that we're likely to share secrets, and so it's easier to guess whether a girl would be safe to bring on.

And welcome, Susan.

[alt_susan]

I was thinking something sort of similar--that adults don't think of girls as being rebellious, so we can get away with so much more.

Well, in certain areas. There are definitely some where girls get away with less.

Thanks again!

[alt_susan]

No, I like it!

We probably should keep to surnames for awhile outside--but like I said to Luna, at least we've got Teatime as an excuse if we slip up.

[alt_evelyn]

Hello, Susan Bones. I've only just joined myself.

It's a bit odd to have a prefect on here.

Odd in a good way.

Anyways, hello and welcome.

[alt_susan]

That's true! I hadn't thought of it that way.

Oh, I hope my brother's not being a nuisance--if he is, it's his way of trying to help, but feel free to tell him to bog off.

[alt_evelyn]

He can be a little loud sometimes, but he's nice. And he doesn't tease. Not in a mean way. So I don't mind.

[alt_susan]

Well, good--otherwise I would have to go throttle him in a friendly, sisterly way.