| perfectprefect in nocturne_alley @ 2002-05-20 13:10:00 |
| Current mood: |  working |
Hello again, while I have the chance...
Dear Community,
Despite the complete lack of regard for intellectual stimuli that my brothers have, I shall continue to update this journal to the best of my abilities. Of course, when one is working at the Ministry as scrupulously as I, one can hardly be expected to have time to write of silly gossip. After all, we cannot all spend our days defacing photographs of our enemies; can we, Ronald?
A Gringotts goblin, Sealtight, was brought into my department today for being suspected of smuggling parchment out of Gringotts. Gringotts parchment is magically sealed so that only goblins can read it; however, he appeared to be selling it out on Knockturn Alley to reveal the secrets of Gringotts' floor wax. Honestly, if he had practised a little more decorum, he wouldn't be finding himself out of a job right now. The unemployment line is a bittersweet place.
He reminded me of one of the Goblin Rebellion Wars that Professor Binns taught us about on March 23 of my fifth year. Ah, I remember it well, as I do all of my lessons. It was a rather overcast day, and most of the class was slacking and asleep, as per usual. They missed out on a rather exciting tale. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.
In the late 1600s, goblins were considered no better than house-elves. They were treated inappropriately, and called upon to do slave work. As you and I both know, house-elves enjoy this treatment; it is not so with goblins. But they had no power to fight back, for they were forbidden to use their magic.
Goblin magic is a very special kind of magic. They are able to speak a language all of their own, and remain one of the 43 races of creatures to have created magic which can recognise the species by mere touch or sound. The amount of brilliance contained within these creatures is astonishing; however, we did not always recognise this. And so we enslaved them, for they were weird looking. Which, of course, they still are; however, you cannot judge a book by its cover price.
The goblins began to meet in secret. By mere torchlight they moaned of their ill-tidings, and began to form a plan. Glurnick Van Husslehough was nominated the leader, and they formed a party.
A Goblin Rebellion Party.
They began to do less than adequate jobs on cleaning. Broomsticks were not polished as meticulously. Floors were waxed with no wet floor sign, leaving their masters to trip and fall.
Soon, their masters began throwing them out onto the streets for their shoddy workmanship. Which, of course, was what they wanted all along. These goblins are so clever. Van Husslehough began to organise the rejected goblins, and they began to teach themselves other skills. Banking was one of import. From what I understand, they are also devils at needlepoint.
And that is the story of the Goblin Rebellion of 1696. The sadness, tragedy, and anger they had to go through is immeasurable. I find myself horrified at the very thought that we should treat such brilliant creatures so odiously. Especially ones that can do needlepoint with such short hands.
Well, nothing gets my day going like a good tale. Auf Wiedersehen, community!
Percy Weasley
Comments:
| pennyclearwater @ 2002-05-21 12:20 am UTC |
I have always found that story fascinating myself, as you well know. Of course, I have to admit that I've always paid a bit more attention to the Hogsmeade Massacre in May of 1696. Something about the image of all those Goblin babies on pikes just stops me in my tracks every time. I'm beginning to think that you're right - I do have something of a bloodthirsty streak in me.
But while the Hogsmeade Massacre was perhaps the signatory event of the 1696 Uprising, you are, as always, correct. The Uprising as a whole would never have been so successful without the tactics of passive resistance that were so skillfully employed by Van Husslehough. The Goblins don't call him Glurnick the Deliverer without reason.
A Goblin truly ahead of his time, Van Husslehough was.
In more mundane news, I have spoken again with your mother. She would be delighted to meet us for dinner next Friday. She says that your father has already arranged to leave the office early, and that they will meet us at Les Batons d'Or at 9 pm. My mother isn't certain that she will be able to get away from her University commitments, but she's promised to try.
I have to admit that I am nervous about this dinner, Percy. I so want our parents to appreciate each other. I can't think of any reason someone wouldn't love your mother; she is such a charming woman. But you know me, I can't help but worry.
Thank you for the lovely bouquet of celery you sent me! It really brightens up my desk. I've had several comments on it already.
| perfectprefect @ 2002-05-21 07:39 am UTC Re: |
*coughs* Er, yes. Well. I am rather certain that despite the obvious difference between our parents, of Muggle and Wizardry, they will get along swimmingly. You know I find your mother to be a brilliant woman; I only worry that my own mother and father will be unable to keep up in the conversation. You know how my father tends to get around Muggles.
Now that I think about it, perhaps inviting my father along isn't such an ingenious idea. While I do, of course, love my father, I worry about the repercussions of his exclaiming over all things Muggle. I should think your parents might be offended by his obscene fascination.
| perfectprefect @ 2002-05-21 07:40 am UTC Re: |
As a post-script, in regards to the bouquet; there really is no need to mention it. It was, erm. My pleasure.
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