Private Message to Barty Crouch, Jr.

[alt_narcissa]

Your birthday present should be arriving sometime within the next six hours, depending on how far from New London you are hiding, dear.

And don't worry, I've used the most ordinary, common post owl I could find.

Now, it comes with a condition. You absolutely must write and tell me what deliciously intimate thing Miss Greengrass has sent you. If she has not bothered to discover and remember your birthday, I shall be highly dubious as to the abiding nature of her obsession.

The other condition you'll see when you get the letter.

I hope you're well.

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

To say I enjoyed that would be an understatement. Shall we say that the chase has been long and hard and that your letter was a balm that brought a measure of relief. Release.

Of course, it also makes me want to see you all the more. But you knew that would be the result.

Even if I have to wear a toga in order to make good on your promise.

Tell me about your robes for the event? I want to imagine you in Roman garb. So I can properly anticipate the pleasure. (I scanned the glossies for pictures from your holiday party, you know, and was wholly disappointed. Shame you banned the press. Have you no pity on your admirers?)


Speaking of admirers. There's been nothing so far from Hogwarts today.

[alt_narcissa]

Nothing at all from Hogwarts? Dear, oh dear, Barty, your lustre must be wearing thin. How fickle of her. Or perhaps she's at last realised she does not meet your requirements.

As for reporters, you must be having fun at my expense. When have we ever allowed them to photograph our private holiday party? But this one was decidedly more debauched than some others, in keeping with the evening's theme. Converting the conservatory into a Roman bath was apparently quite tricky, but well worth the effort.

Which ought to give you more than enough to visualise with no need of photographs. For the Frost Faire, I had considered Minoan but decided it would be both too daring and too cold for February along the Thames, warming charms or no. No, they'll be reasonably classic, I expect. I'm not sure; Burdett-Coutts has insisted that Gerard Joosh should design mine, Lucius' and the Lord Protector's robes for at least one of the evenings; I have another set on commission from Kosette, of all people; and there shall be at least one night when one of Revati's pieces will do admirably.

Do you know, the WI and St Mungo's wondered if I'd be interested in auctioning some of my old robes and gowns for charity? I'm not sure how I feel about that sort of thing: On the one hand, it would give the outfits new life, in a way, and raise funds for some good cause; on the other, it's a particularly ghoulish custom, which is somewhat incongruous when the wearer is no longer alive but positively disconcerting when she is still thriving, thank you.

But. It could clear out at least half my wardrobe cupboards. Lucius is no help in the matter - he simply says to do whatever I like about it. What do you think?

And am I to infer, then, that you'll be able to pay the Faire a visit?