Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_percy]

Bill, I don't know how closely you're watching the journals at Hogwarts. But one of the little tidbits of the aftermath of that incident yesterday in Care of Magical Creatures is that Professor Amycus Carrow has publicly all but named Ronald a blood traitor. Take a look at it, there in his comments back and forth with Professor Lestrange.

It's outrageous. Ronald stepped in front of Draco Malfoy and probably saved his life, and for his pains, he's being smeared by one of his own professors. But what can I do? It's clear that Amycus Carrow is receiving protection from the highest level, or he would have been gone long ago. That's why I'm afraid to protest, but to have to take this, to eat this insult is insufferable.

I just don't understand it. Why wasn't he sacked ages ago? Ever since I faced him two years ago when he was raving and waving a knife around, I've been afraid of him. Everyone is. Even the other Professors.

He seems to be getting worse, if that's even possible.

Bloody hell, I hope Mum and Dad don't see what he wrote. I had to all but sit on the twins; they were spitting fire, but fortunately, they're too clever to mix it up with him directly. I'm afraid, however, that they might try to get revenge with some stupid prank and it'll backfire and they'll get caught.

Ron hasn't seen it yet, to the best of my knowledge. I almost think I should carry a Calming Draught and slip it into his pumpkin juice if someone's rash enough to bring it to his attention. And you just know someone will. Probably someone from Slytherin House.

I just--I don't know. I don't know if you ever faced anything like this when you were Head Boy. I could use some advice. Or at least, please be ready to write to Ron if he sees it and starts going shouty-crackers, especially if he's angry enough to do it in a public way.

Comments

[alt_bill]

Hmm. You're right--ugly.

Well, if you look at what Professor Lestrange is saying, he's clearly signalling that he thinks Carrow's going too far, too.

I happen to know that Mum and Dad have been pushing the Headmistress about trying to get him sacked. They haven't forgotten what happened two years ago, either. Mum has talked to me about the letters she's written. And I do suspect, from what Mum has said, that the Headmistress is in turn pressuring the Board of Governors. Professor Lestrange's comment makes me think that Carrow has skated about as far as he possibly can on whatever mysterious sufferance he has.

I hate to tell you to be patient, but that may be your best strategy for now. Certainly your instinct to keep the twins or Ron (or Ginny, for that matter) from doing anything rash is sound. (Good luck with that! I know that when you're dealing with the famous Weasley temper, it's a challenge.)

You should, of course, raise your concerns privately with the Headmistress when you meet with her next. I think she's gathering whatever evidence she can of disapproval of Carrow's antics from every possible source, to add weight to her recommendation that he be given the heave ho. If you can pass along other comments from remarks you've heard from the students on the subject, that'll help, too. Your complaint may seem a mere mite, but even one additional straw on the scale may tip the balance, if we're lucky.

Good luck. And of course I'll write Ron, if he looks about to pop off. Give me a warning if he does.

[alt_percy]

Thanks, Bill. I'll do that. I do appreciate your advice.

[alt_percy]

Ron was rather subdued when I spoke with him. I think he'll be all right.

Fred and George, on the other hand, are furious.