(no subject)

[alt_narcissa]

Well, let it never be said that our parties are the sorts of affairs one can afford to miss for lack of excitement! One would prefer a different sort, however, in future. How frightful!

Young Mr Weasley, thank you in particular for your calm and swift reaction to the crisis. I daresay your experiences at Hogwarts have already taught you how to maintain order in an emergency. (From the look of things, we were not the only ones impressed by your presence of mind. Do tell your enchanting companion that her own rôle in directing guests away from the scene did not go unnoticed - or unappreciated.)

Mr Malfoy and I went to St Mungo's this morning to pay a visit to the young man who so tragically collapsed on our lawns - I'm quite sorry to report that the Healers hold out little hope for full recovery. Clearly someone took advantage of his recent dismissal from our household and attempted to discover privileged information from him. I hope we can say that the damage was done to him out of his captors' desperation and that the young man resisted revealing anything that might present a danger to Our Lord's tranquil realm. Mr and Mrs Hooper, please accept our condolences. I've no idea who abused your son so horribly but I do assure you Mr Malfoy is as perturbed as either of you that his former clerk should be so beset by enemies of the peace. He has already told me he has his theories and if I know my husband, he shall be sure to investigate the truth of his beliefs and avenge this slight for all our sakes. As a mother myself, I can only imagine how this ordeal must be affecting your family. If there is anything I can do, please, you have only to ask.

Speaking of motherhood, Draco: Do enjoy yourself this week. But don't you boys all make yourselves ill with too much sun and training. Be sure to take care as well and don't overdo it. We shall see you next weekend for the Freedom Day celebrations and I'm sure you and Harry shall have dozens of stories to tell.

Oh, and Raz, it's too bad that your guest couldn't disentangle herself for the evening but I do understand. But now, you really must bring her to lunch on Saturday next; I will brook no argument! Mother and Pascoal will be bringing some of their friends along as well so it's sure to be a jolly affair. There are even plans afoot to take in some of the street performances along the river. I promise no one shall ask impertinent questions: We know our itinerant bachelor is in no danger of losing his heart! His solitude, perhaps, but that can hardly be a bad thing. Rodolphus, you'd best come along whether Bella extricates herself from her work or not, and see what your baby brother has been up to all this time.

And now, Sisters in Witchcraft, I shall see you very shortly! I hope you are all prepared for today's activities. I quite look forward to hearing about your summers thus far.

Comments

Private Message to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Thank you for the enjoyable evening.

Mother asks that I communicate how sorry she was to leave early; she promises to send a proper note as soon as she's able to manage it. I don't believe it had anything to do with the excitement of Hooper's lurching out of the hedges; she's had a low week is all and would have done better to stay in last evening.

Fortunate that she saw sense and resigned her role on the Freedom Day committee. Are you involved with that, Narcissa?

Have wrapped things up here for the afternoon, apart from an hour or two on the sparring floor. I've managed not to murder Holcomb yet, but if he's smart he'll not choose this afternoon to cross wands with me. I'm giving him until Monday first thing to find one shred of solid evidence we can use against Maule. Or one witness with a credible account of his dealings.

[alt_penelope]

Mr Weasley was rather brilliant, wasn't he? Thank you so much for including us, Mrs Malfoy - even with the unfortunate disruption. I'm sure he was happy to be of assistance to you and Mr Malfoy. Percy's extremely fortunate that Mr Malfoy asked him to clerk for him. We're both excited by the opportunities it affords us both to serve Our Lord and the whole nation, of course.

And thank you for saying I was a help, as well. I'm sure we were just doing what was necessary to keep Mr Hooper's sudden appearance under control.

[alt_percy]

I am exceedingly glad that Penny and I could be of assistance, ma'am.