Private Message to Loyal Citizens of Albion: Happy Anniversary to the Finch-Fletchleys

[alt_hermione]

I woke up this morning wondering how to post so that more than the Order of the Phoenix could see an announcement, but the Death Eaters still couldn't. I think this will work.

So anyone who can see this: Congratulations, you're a loyal citizen of Albion! Which is good because there's loads of work to do to make this country right.

And if Bellatrix Lestrange can see this, or Barty Crouch, then perhaps there's hope for them, after all.


Anyway, a year ago, Justin and Hydra risked rather a lot to get married. It was so dangerous that they had to keep it a complete secret, even from all of their best mates.

Everyone in the Order of the Phoenix knows what it's like to have to keep a dread secret. Probably loads of you Albionites do, too, when you've harboured feelings and beliefs that didn't properly match what the Protectorate was telling you, and you wanted to speak out against their injustice but you were too afraid. It's easy to keep a secret when it's something you fear, or feel ashamed about, or wish would go away. But sometimes, it's the happy secrets that are the hardest things to hold close and not share.

Like when someone like Terry, a muggleborn, had friends who were so determined to be able to talk to him, they figured out a way. And then he asked them to include me, too. So then, I had friends. I made friends with students like the Weasleys, Lee Jordan, Sally-Anne Perks, and later on, Pansy Parkinson, and Daphne Greengrass, and Hydra, and Justin. All because of a secret that we had to keep together. It was a happy secret, but it was still something we all knew we had to protect. Not protecting it would have meant prison, betraying even bigger secrets, like who was in the Order, and even death.

But it was ever so difficult, especially when there were people outside that circle who we weren't sure we could trust, however much we wanted to do. So I can understand, a little, how hard and how dangerous and how tempting it must have been for Justin and Hydra, so often, not to slip, not to tell the rest of us--no matter how much they trusted us--because happy secrets like that, they get around, once they start to be shared.

And in a normal society, that's good. There might be a few people who are hurt, personally, but that's a temporary pain. And far more people would be happy right along with everyone else, so it would help the sad ones find something to salvage and share in the happiness, too.

Today, here, in Albion, we can celebrate our happiness with each other, secure that no one will kill us just for loving someone we're 'not supposed to'--because there is no 'supposed to' about love. Sometimes it's hard to believe that, but taking the chance and sharing one's happiness is always better than having to keep it only to oneself.

Because happiness shared just gets better. And sadness shared, well, that's what starts it to heal.

Justin and Hydra risked a lot for each other, but they kept their marriage a happy secret for the good of all their friends, however much they must have wanted to tell us. Today, though, they don't have to hide, and they don't have to keep it secret, and they don't have to be afraid, and they don't have to care who knows it.

Here's to not having to keep happy secrets, ever again.

Comments

[alt_hydra]

It sounds like you're talking about happy gossip, too.

Thanks for writing this, Hermione.

Private Message to Hydra

[alt_hermione]

Gossip is a little different, but maybe. It depends on whether people are spreading it to hurt or spreading it because they're genuinely excited for the person they're gossiping about, I suppose.

Anyway, I figured today of all days, you deserve to be able to be happy without Crouch muscling in.

Private message to Hermione

[alt_hydra]

I hadn't thought about it before, but now that you've written this, I wonder if the fact that Justin is muggleborn has become less of a secret. It isn't as if he's made some big announcement (and I don't really think he needs to), but he did tell the Galleon, and Dolohov.

I also know that Crouch knows, and that he'll tell my mother, and she'll tell my father.

So yes, a happy secret but sometimes I just think about my Aunt, Dora's mother, and - I don't know, I wonder what could have been, I suppose.

But it's not very useful to think about things like that, so then I make myself stop.

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_hermione]

I don't know, but with what Draco and Sally-Anne said, some people may think it. Though I think it's more likely they'll just think that they mean because the Blacks, Lestranges and Malfoys and all are just maniacs about people being 'worthy' of joining their bloodlines, or being blood traitors in a more general sense.

Do you think Justin will care if strangers suddenly realise he's a muggleborn? I don't think he needs to make a big production of it, either, but he might want to have the option of being the one to say it in public, first.

Re: Private message to Hermione

[alt_hydra]

Sirius never fell in love with a muggleborn (well, I mean, he might have, but he's not known for it) so I don't think people will think that's what it means, just that we're all traitors to pureblood values, or something. But then your entry did mention loving people we're 'not supposed to,' so who knows what it will get people thinking about.

I don't know, on one hand it might be more convenient to have people just realise it rather than having to make some kind of announcement. But yes, he might like the option.

[alt_sally_anne]

Happy anniversary, Justin and Hydra.

[alt_draco]

Congratulations all 'round.

Though I'd especially like to acknowledge my cousin for continuing in the grand tradition of "ruining" our respective family names in a whole host of ways. Good thing your mother had no other daughters, or else we might have a miniature Bellatrix on our hands in addition to the full-sized one.

[alt_sally_anne]

You, Tonks, Sirius, Hydra, and Andromeda are a grand tradition to be proud of!

[alt_sirius]

Well, the people we've included in our branches of the family are certainly improvements, assets and welcome additions.

Not a dud in the bunch.

The Weasleys have done rather well in that regard, too.

Order Only

[alt_draco]

May as well enjoy the beginning of July, since the end of it will probably be thoroughly un-enjoyable.

Re: Order Only: Private message to Draco

[alt_hermione]

We don't have to start thinking about that now. So, yes, we should enjoy things and try not to

We should be happy for them, all right?

[alt_luna]

Happy Anniversary to you both, Hydra and Justin.

I hope you will have the chance to do something lovely to mark the occasion.

[alt_justin]

Luna,

Thank you, yes, we did.

-F-F

[alt_fred]

Wish we hadn't lost so much of our stock when Cris

We could have done a bang up fireworks display to celebrate.

Next year. We promise!

[alt_justin]

Fred,

Thanks very much for the thought, what, but we wouldn't have been at the castle to see it. We went to Brighton.

-F-F

[alt_terry]

Happy anniversary!

Private Message to Hermione and Hydra

[alt_justin]

Hermione,

Thank you. I'm glad you made this about more than just our anniversary. I should have been bally well embarrassed otherwise.

But your timing was jolly well splendid, what. Brighton treated us like heroes. Whenever we left the room, we were feted like mad. They even sent us champagne, I've no idea where they found it.

-Justin