III.

[alt_lana]

Honoria Sandoval!

I could not believe my eyes tonight at supper.

Honestly, do you have no mirrors in the Gryffindor dormitories? What could possibly excuse your coming to a meal with your tie untied, your collar smudged and crumpled, and your robe buttons undone? And there you sat, slouching so low in your seat, everyone must think you never had a single lesson in comportment in your life!

I realise that many of your table mates know no better than to lean on their elbows and dangle their hair in their soup, but no Sandoval has ever, ever put on such a slovenly display in all the history of our family.

Have you lost all sense of yourself?

Mama will be so distressed when she reads the owl I've been forced to send. And I can only imagine what Papa's response will be.

Comments

[alt_sinistra]

Miss Sandoval -

Do stop by and see me at your convenience? I know it can be quite challenging to have a younger sibling at Hogwarts, and I have a few thoughts that might be of use in handling situations like these.

(Also, we should go over the plans for next week, if you feel you and your housemates will still have time to assist.)

[alt_lana]

Thank you, Professor. I appreciate your making time for me this morning. And for your suggestions with regard to sibling management. It's kind of you to share your experience.

I've checked with those we discussed. Please add Johns, Troy, and Capper, as well as both Electra and Leander Bobolis, and my brother Orion to your list. We are all eager to establish a high standard for this year's YPL events.

[alt_percy]

Let me reassure you that Honoria Sandoval is doing quite well in other matters beside where she happens to place her elbows. I mentioned that I would be keeping an eye on the younger Ms Sandoval, and I have. I have spoken with one or two of her professors who have been giving her very good reports (Professor Hooch expects her to test out of flying quite soon, for example), she achieved a perfect score on her most recent Charms pop quiz, and her roommates are getting along with her quite well.

In the future, if you wish to discuss any further concerns with me as one of Honoria's prefects, I will be happy to do so, perhaps after the weekly Prefect meeting on Wednesday nights, in order to avoid needlessly airing a student's private concerns before the entire school here in the journals.

[alt_lana]

Pot.

Kettle.

You, Weasley, are the last person to offer creditable advice about when and when not to intervene with one's siblings in these journals. And, frankly, your lack of success with your own siblings convinces me that I cannot rely on anyone in Gryffindor House to take Honoria in hand. It is down to me as Honoria's older sister to use all the tools at my command--including public shaming where necessary--to guide her development.

Honestly. Your first example of her success is that she has not yet passed her flying test? A girl who grew up on a broom? She is still diddling about on the pitch because it allows her to avoid her homework. Or because it allows her to swish about in front of a whole battalion of boys. Left to her own devices, she'll still be taking flying 'lessons' in May.

[alt_percy]

I fail to understand what causes you to to become downright irascible and insulting when I inform you that your sister is doing quite well.

As to why Honoria has not passed her flying test "yet," you entirely wrong your sister with your insinuations. There were two flying classes that were cancelled, if you'll remember, because Madam Hooch had the flu. Otherwise, Madam Hooch has been going through the class systematically in alphabetical order of last names, and so Honoria has simply not yet been given the opportunity to formally demonstrate her very creditable flying skills. It is very clear to all that she will test out immediately when Madam Hooch gets to her name.

[alt_lana]

Five points from Gryffindor, Weasley.

[alt_percy]

The utter unreasonableness of this admirably illustrates my first point.

You really don't like it when people praise or commend your sister, do you? I wonder why?

I will see you at the Prefects meeting tonight, where I'm sure you will explain why I have lost yet more points for making this reply.

Fine. Honoria's probably earned enough today to make up for 'em.

[alt_lana]

And five more.

[alt_ron]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!

That's rich.

[alt_ron]

And totally worth the points.