alt_rabastan | Private message to Narcissa Malfoy

Hello, love. Are you busy enough to be going in circles yet?

Since he's no longer after me to join in his most recent caper, I gather that my brother took my suggestion and invited you to be his partner, instead? If so, thanks for that. Much as I understand his aspirations, he doesn't have to share a castle with the cow, and I do.

But the real reason I'm writing is to ask if you and Lucius will be at the St. Mungo's Gala on Saturday evening? I didn't originally plan to attend, but since I'm going to be at St. Mungo's during that day, anyway, I figured I might as well show my handsome face.

Now, this isn't one of those events where they have a bachelor auction, is it? I remember that one a few years back... well, I think that was the Witch's Institute? Still, I wanted to check, because as it so happens I'm spoken for this Christmas. It would be a great favour to me if you could discretely put the word out, in that exceptionally talented way your have for passing must-know information along.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You've no idea how ridiculous this month is getting with parties. No plagues, no imminent croakings of doom from MLE - everyone is quite frankly enjoying the holiday season for a change!

We'll be pleased to see you, of course. And no, there's no bachelor auction at St Mungo's, just useless arts and crafts no one really wants. Still, it's for charity.

But even if there were, dear boy, do you think I don't already know you're spoken for? After telling me that you're bringing Professor Sinistra to our holiday party? After she confirmed that she'll be joining us? I can't imagine you undertaking to introduce her to that crowd if you weren't at least passing serious about her. You may not have recognised the significance of your actions, Razzer, but I certainly did.

(As for your brother and his aspirations, currently they extend so far as to make sure that Rigel spends adequate time with his Auntie and, apparently, to mitigate the effect his wife has on his daughter. Otherwise, I couldn't say with certainty what you mean.)

But speaking of bachelors and auctions, you might read this week's copy of Dish!, if you're in need of a laugh.

If you're claiming that I'll laugh, then can I safely assume that the headlining story has nothing to do with me?

No, it's to do with your good mate, Barty.

Has it now? Goody!

Circling Carrig's old flame Robert Spinx again?

And Arista Peel? Well, can't say I blame him there, but I know from experience that she brings on the hurt.

Our Barty is having quite a thrill of a time, it would seem. Must be all that eggnog.

Indeed, I had an inkling that word was already out in "that crowd," as you say, but felt I should lay things out plainly, for once. We both know how I go about this in a very wrong-headed way from time to time. Mostly, I shouldn't like for her to have to deal with invasive questions from anyone, particularly from those who might claim me as an ex-something-or-other.

Though rest assured I am not putting the burden of keeping the hordes away on you, love. Just trying to lay some preemptive defence, if you see what I mean.

(And I wouldn't expect you to say. Still, that's quite a list of aspirations, seeing as you have your own family to manage- now his, too?)

Morgana's wand, I should say that congratulations are in order. Not to you, Raz, to Miss Sinistra. Whatever she's done has set you back on your heels. Going about things properly and plainly? I never thought I'd see the day.

On the other matter, I'm not saying your brother hasn't been tending to his own garden. In fact, I should think that his own family has occupied a good deal of his attention lately, and what is to become of it.

Now then, it's just this once; I'll do something outrageous and Razzy when you next see me, I'm sure.

So what is it they're rowing over this time? Is it Hydra going to that Ball with the Beauxbaton's lad? You know that I deeply admire all your sister has done for the protectorate, but the weight of her criticism is very nearly an unbearable thing. Well, I'm sure you commiserate. I remember when she and Rod were first married- I was still at school (forth or fifth year, can't remember which), and she had something to say about every subject I took, every girl I looked at, every book I read, and so on. And I was just her brother in law.

But then she would go off on some great important mission and, abruptly, stop caring about whatever she had previously been eviscerating. It was well dizzying, it was.

Oh, you know that the secret to happiness with Bella is not to take anything she says too much to heart. I've long since given up trying to change how she treats anyone (you'll note it's been ages since I even attempted to remind her that I hate being called 'Cissy'), and you're absolutely right: Her interest is as quickly lost as it is gained. All one need do is weather it until the storm passes.

It's just that Hydra's so looking forward to the Ball. And a girl's first dance like that, with a boy - whomever he is - is as much a milestone as - well, as your first school Quidditch match, I expect. It's nothing that will matter ten years from now but right now it's the most important thing in the world.

Well, it's foolish to expect Bella to understand that, or care. Nonetheless, I admit my palms itched when I saw her tear into Hydra over the whole thing. Especially since Rod had already given his consent and the boy was highly courteous to observe proper form like that.

More to the point, though, Bella does her grand cause no favours by berating Hydra for all to see. I've spoken to her more than once about airing her disappointment in public, particularly when there's no call for it.

Rod may have other concerns, as well, but they are his own.

What amazes me is that for a woman as fearsomely clever and intuitive as she is, she doesn't seem to grasp that it's probably not terribly wise to watch over the girl as if she were a criminal in need of rehabilitation.

Well, she goes her own way, that one.

Meanwhile, it's lucky for Hydra that you're there to soften the blows. I'll try to do my part when I can, too.

And- sounds like little brother and big brother might need to have a bit of a chat.

You know, speaking of doing things properly: what sort of Christmas gift get for ones "colleague/friend-of-over-a-year/girlfriend-of-a-few-months?"

If you can't think of any specific suggestions just now, tell me on Saturday?

Private message to Narcissa Malfoy

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject