(no subject)

[alt_narcissa]

I hope no-one is feeling any ill after-effects from the party last night. Congratulations again, dear sister, on twenty years of marriage! And Rodolphus, I still say I cannot think of anyone else equal to the challenge. My sister is many things but easy to love is not one of them! Nevertheless, we all persevere, and thank you in particular for taking your post on the front lines.

It was certainly a festive time. I'm going back over this afternoon to help Mother and Pascoal put things back to rights after that incident near the reflecting pool. (Janus and Cornelius, you are both old enough to know better.) And I've a few other topics to cover with her.

Oh, before I forget, Revati: Yes, I can come on the 7th for the shoot, but the photographs must be at Witch Weekly by the 20th if they're to be included in the December issue. I think you ought to plan to come in to the offices the whole next week so we can supervise the layout. And verify that the girls will all be available for the runway show in early December, will you?

I'm glad to see that one effect of last year's quarantine has benefitted the Protectorate: I am receiving a higher than usual number of baby shower invitations over the next two months. And two birth announcements this week! Congratulations to the new parents, of course. And I'm sure the whole nation thanks you for your duty to the Protectorate, may it increase and prosper.

Daisy, are we on for lunch on Thursday? Mariposa says she'd not heard from you to confirm. Let me know where to meet if you still want to get together.

And Draco, dear, I'm sending you a parcel. Just a little something to say Mother is thinking of you.

Comments

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_narcissa]

Of course, we're all quite concerned that Harry suffers no further difficulties, but it wasn't his spirits your father mentioned. It was Professor Carrow. And there was something about mediating between you and Miss Parkinson, though on that score, it sounds as if she has been as foolish as ever.

Are you sure everything is all right?

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_draco]

I didn't want to worry you about the business with Carrow. He hasn't done much beyond toying with me, but I'm in his sights and I don't like it. Father has advised me as best he can, though, and I'm not sure that anything else can be done for now.

Pansy is..foolish, yes. I just don't know what to make of it, anymore. And she hasn't done anything terrible, mind - not like she did in first year. But she's definitely not turning out the way most of the other Slytherins are, despite being so close with Father.

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_narcissa]

How gallant of you, son! But of course I'm going to worry about you; I'm your mother. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help? Perhaps if I sent something to Professor Carrow, it might sweeten his attitude toward you?

Between you and me, Pansy has always been a touch odd. I can forgive much because I know she lost her father so early. It's bound to colour her perceptions. But her mother clearly paid little to no attention to her proper upbringing. What she did in first year was ... not entirely her fault, of course. But she is just the type of inquisitive, attention-starved creature who would fall prey to the kind of trouble she found.

On the other hand, I know she cared for your cousin Regulus, quite a lot, and I expect she still misses him a great deal. As do I So she cannot be beyond hope. Clearly, it's her association with Gryffindors - and subpar ones at that - that has tainted her.

I would have thought your influence could steady her. At least, I hoped so when you two were able to spend time together this summer. I know it does vex your father when she grows headstrong.

She is very close friends with Miss Sally-Anne Perks, isn't she? What do you make of Miss Perks, son?

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Don't send anything to him, Mother. I don't want him to turn his attentions to you. And I'm not being gallant, either - but if he started...saying things about you in front of me, it might not go so well.

You say she's inquisitive, is that what it's all about? She's too curious. She wants to know everything about everyone, especially if they're a misfi unusual in some way. And I'm not unusual at all.

So if I were try to make her see that she belongs with all of us, in Slytherin, what would I have to do? Bossing her around doesn't work. Maybe I need to give her more attention?

Sally is...she doesn't do anything bad, and she's clever and works hard. She's almost too good at saying the right thing, but at least she's saying the right thing. Too bad she's not saying it to Pansy.

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_narcissa]

All right. I suppose you feel far too grown up to let Mother try to solve your problems for you. Fight your own duels, then - but not literally, in Professor Carrow's case!

I hadn't thought of Pansy in quite that way before, not in so many words. But you may have the right of it.

Perhaps you do need to give her attention, to reassure her that your disapproval was not total. She told your father that these other 'friends' have supplanted affection she feels lacking from you - not that you did anything wrong, I'm sure. If Miss Perks is so scrupulous, however, then I would suggest a two-pronged attack. Restore your affection to Pansy and she may come back, but convince Miss Perks that she could also benefit from your acquaintance and you win her ally to your cause, n'est-ce pas? Then she will also counsel her to sensibility.

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Two-pronged? C'est bon.

Alright, affection it is, then.

I.. Do I have to kiss her, or something?

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_narcissa]

Of course not, mon cher! Merely show her that you care about her, not just her actions.

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Oh, that's all? That's easy. Thanks, Mother, this helps a lot.