Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_sinistra]

It's rather dire in here, all things considered. You might be glad you're out waiting.

In the corner, we have Alecto, who's glowering at the world, and nearly took off the arm of the last person who came within ten feet. Not that anyone particularly wants to be near her.

Froissart's clearly not happy with any of the situation, but of course he can't do much about any of it. And Karkaroff is just looking stoic. (Though a bunch of the Durmstrang boys have started in on what must be traditional toasts, and at least that's mildly entertaining. "To the motherland!" "To the fatherland!" "To friendship!" though they're degenerating into more chaos now.)

I don't suppose your end of things is better than your fears?

Comments

[alt_poppy]

Actually, I'd have to say that my lot is better than yours currently. We've done all the set up we can do, and my companions have gone off to pace the outer perimeter of the maze. Rumour has it that the inside of this maze is larger than the outer boundary. Given that the outer boundary is merely the familiar dimensions of a Quidditch pitch, that stands to reason.

I can't imagine anyone could sit within smelling distance of Alecto Carrow and eat.

Gossip here is that there are high odds whether the other delegations are going to make a sincere attempt to take the Cup. And on what might happen if either Krum or Delacourt were to win. I asked whether there was any wagering on Diggory and earned looks that said I truly have no understanding either of sport or of politics.

[alt_sinistra]

I do think you're better off then. (And on Alecto - well, all I can say is that I'm firmly at the other end of the table, with Septima and Pomona.)

Curious, on the maze. Though given the number of rumours I've heard about what it contains, I can't say I'm surprised.

On the gossip there - well. I suspect that's why Froissart's been drinking more than I would have in this company. And I wasn't the first to have a careful conversation with Cedric about the political implications, though I hope I was a little more successful than the original attempts.

(We had a very careful chat about practicality versus fairness, and that some kinds of unfairness are better than the alternatives. Because after the second task, well, it's clear to me how high the stakes are.)

[alt_sinistra]

Right. We're being shooed out of here, so we should be down at the pitch in the not too distant future.

I think everyone's just looking forward to seeing what the challenges are in the maze and getting the thing over with.

[alt_poppy]

Ah, well. Speeches first.

Don't get too hopeful for speedy resolution: Fudge is already down here, pacing back and forth, clearing his throat, trying out the Sonorous charm at various strengths. And posing. He looks ridiculous.

And I doubt he'll be the only one to take the podium. You might want to cast a cushioning charm on your seat. I have done.