(Untitled)

[bigbrotherbill]

Harry, that's not kids' stuff you're messing about with. Of course, you aren't a kid, and you already know that, but I wanted you to know that I know you know that.

Brilliant. So now I know that you know that I know that you know that. All right, then?

Comments

[the_boy_who]

Did you just basically say "All right Harry"?

[bigbrotherbill]

Well, yes--yes, I did. I suppose I could have ended the paragraph with "Now bugger off, you miserable little sod," but somehow that didn't seem to have the hopeful, optimistic tone I'd been striving for.

[the_boy_who]

Sounds like Creevey - though I reckon he is rather hopeful.

And I'm not messing about.

[bigbrotherbill]

Perhaps "messing about" wasn't quite the correct term. But you're treading on a slippery slope.

[the_boy_who]

Chasing someone down the slope is more like it. Anyway, I'm interested in countercurses if it makes you feel any better. Think of it as advanced defence?

Clearly you are the most sensible Weasley brother around these parts.

How are you getting on, by the way?

[bigbrotherbill]

That does make me feel better. Only take care not to twist your ankle on the way, if I may belabor the metaphor just a bit further.

I am getting on tolerably, thanks for asking. Though I am feeling a bit of wanderlust, to tell you the truth. I don't understand how a person could happily spend so many years cooped up inside this castle.

There are dozens of places I want to see before the war is over. Or sooner.

[the_boy_who]

I think the metaphor is begging for mercy at this point, but thanks for giving a sod, honestly.

Why do you say it like that? You sound as if you don't expect to be able to travel after the war.

[bigbrotherbill]

Right then, I'll drag it out behind the shed and put it out of its misery.

And well, I think it would be pretty rotten if I died in some stupid battle somewhere and never got the chance to see the Negev.

[the_boy_who]

Worse than rotten. I want to say too many people have your back for that, but then you have to let us. Professor Hooch. She was strong. I don't really know what I'm trying to say...

[bigbrotherbill]

You're trying to say that now is not the time to be too strong and go it alone, I think. Right?

[the_boy_who]

Yeah. But then I want to keep my friends safe, so maybe now is that time. I don't know.

I don't know anything.

[bigbrotherbill]

I do not think this is the time for you to go it alone--and after all, you should trust my advice, having dubbed me the most sensible Weasley brother. Your friends don't want to be coddled and shielded any more than you do.

If you attempt something like that, I'll be forced to resurrect the slippery slope metaphor, and that will be unpleasant for all of us--and especially unpleasant for the metaphor.

[the_boy_who]

I won't if you won't.

[bigbrotherbill]

You've got yourself a deal, Potter.

[the_boy_who]

I would say let's shake on it, but I don't know where that hand has been lately.

[bigbrotherbill]

It is a good thing that I am benevolent and easily amused.

We'll stick to a verbal agreement, then, and save the physical contact for others.