(no subject)
Sep. 10th, 2012 09:50 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_narcissaThere's a sudden bite to the air today, already.
It's as well that our card party meets at yours on Wednesday, Diana; I'm expecting Mr Cooper tomorrow afternoon to check his installation before the rains start in earnest. I'm sure we'll only have another scant week or 2 of pleasant weather and then it will be time to bed the summer gardens for the winter ones.
Speaking of cards, in a way, Aurora, I ran across the names of two engravers whose work might interest you. I'll send them along. (As for the other kind, my dear, I'm sure by next summer we'll have you playing Spite and Malice with the best of us. It does take practice for the strategy to become second-nature.)
Antosha, love, I've taken the liberty of helping you keep current. Since we can't meet for a regular chat to catch up on all the happenings of the world outside Hogwarts, you can look forward to a weekly dose from other sources. (It's only fair, since you doubtless were the one to blame for Barty's addiction. I'm surprised you hadn't already taken care of the matter yourself, Toshenka dear.) Expect the first owls within the week. And no, this is not an early birthday present.
Draco, we received your letter. I think Prefecture agrees with you, son, since you've already remembered to write twice! Don't worry. I shan't take it amiss if your Prefect and YPL duties, classes and Quidditch schedule mean that this early attention to your correspondence crosses from an overabundance to a deficit as the term continues.
Our own social calendar has quite overrun itself and once again, we shall likely see no more than a handful of weekends without some gathering or other. I've a flurry of owls to send with our acceptances - and our regrets, of course. And a few notes below.
It's as well that our card party meets at yours on Wednesday, Diana; I'm expecting Mr Cooper tomorrow afternoon to check his installation before the rains start in earnest. I'm sure we'll only have another scant week or 2 of pleasant weather and then it will be time to bed the summer gardens for the winter ones.
Speaking of cards, in a way, Aurora, I ran across the names of two engravers whose work might interest you. I'll send them along. (As for the other kind, my dear, I'm sure by next summer we'll have you playing Spite and Malice with the best of us. It does take practice for the strategy to become second-nature.)
Antosha, love, I've taken the liberty of helping you keep current. Since we can't meet for a regular chat to catch up on all the happenings of the world outside Hogwarts, you can look forward to a weekly dose from other sources. (It's only fair, since you doubtless were the one to blame for Barty's addiction. I'm surprised you hadn't already taken care of the matter yourself, Toshenka dear.) Expect the first owls within the week. And no, this is not an early birthday present.
Draco, we received your letter. I think Prefecture agrees with you, son, since you've already remembered to write twice! Don't worry. I shan't take it amiss if your Prefect and YPL duties, classes and Quidditch schedule mean that this early attention to your correspondence crosses from an overabundance to a deficit as the term continues.
Our own social calendar has quite overrun itself and once again, we shall likely see no more than a handful of weekends without some gathering or other. I've a flurry of owls to send with our acceptances - and our regrets, of course. And a few notes below.
Private Message to Pandora Baddock
Date: 2012-09-11 02:04 am (UTC)Tell me if you want Lucius to say anything particular to him tomorrow at tea. I've every expectation that his objections are not things you can easily overcome, dear, but Lucius has the advantage there over either of us.
Private Message to Maisie Fudge
Date: 2012-09-11 02:08 am (UTC)It's sweet of your daughter to ask, but you know my husband's position on taking godsons, or allowing namesakes, is quite firm.
No, I'm sure he'd be flattered but it's absolutely against his policy to accept. He would far prefer that sort of thing to be kept within family bloodlines, or if you must, advise your daughter and her husband to use Marvolo or a similarly appropriate name.
Of course, privately, what they name their child is entirely up to them. But I did not say so, my dear.
Yours, etc.,
Narcissa C B Malfoy
Private Message to Hydra
Date: 2012-09-11 02:26 am (UTC)I'm so sorry we did not get the chance to go shopping together before you returned. I expect your mother would not approve but I went ahead and ordered a few things I am sure you will need. (I did notice when you joined us in Pembroke, dear, that everything seems to be a bit short. And a little tight through the shoulders?) I'm sure Mrs Baylock saw to your school robes but you'll want for Hogsmeade trips and such. You ought to get the parcels this week, once they're completed.
Your mother also mentioned what she's terming your 'Harry project.' Now, dear. I know you're quite fond of Harry - we all are, of course - but my own advice to you is not to force the issue. Some young men do take their time about it, and often the girl who is right at hand is not as obvious to them as the one who seems unreachable. But more than that, it doesn't take much to see that you've no interest in him, apart from friend or perhaps a sort of older brother. I watched closely in Pembroke, do you see.
But there ought to be someone who's suitable. Have you had your eye on anyone for yourself, dear?
Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-09-11 02:29 am (UTC)Thank you, I’m sure that’ll be a help. As I'm sure you knew I would, I'm coming to agree with the necessity of finding a planner I can work with. I think I’m finally there - turns out sorting which bits Raz and I care most about helped a great deal, and we got time for more conversation about that this weekend.
I’ve managed to keep Tuesday afternoons free in my schedule again, so I thought I might set up a few initial appointments (perhaps next week, perhaps the week after) and see if I can find out if one of the names suggested to me is the right fit.
Whatever happens with that, if you’re free, I’d love to see you for lunch or tea or supper (I needn’t be back at school until about ten at night). And there’s the matter of robes, too. I’ve been looking at design books, and I think I’ve a rough idea, but I’m quite sure you can untangle me with a few choice sentences. (And that does seem one of the more enjoyable parts of the process, so far, so if you're at all interested, I'd love to share the amusement.)
Beyond that, I’m quite looking forward to the year. The first years are still a mystery, but endearing in their newness, the seventh years are all bravado and certainty. And while the fifth years are showing - except for a few like Draco, who are thriving - the early signs of exam nerves combined with the new YPL expectations - I’m sure they’ll do wonderfully as well.
I’ve also, I should say, found Antosha to be a wonderful addition to the school - we had a lovely conversation last Friday about a number of topics. And he’s quite taken the attention and interest of much of the school.
Aurora
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-09-11 02:55 am (UTC)As for robes, that is without a doubt the part everyone seems to find the most thrilling (and sometimes the most nerve-wracking, I warn you). I'd be honoured to go along. Have you thought of inviting one of your sisters? Were you thinking of Young & Miller for racked wedding robes?(I'm sure you're well aware that what looks perfect in a photograph or sketch often diappoints in the wearing.) Or were you looking in the books to inform your own design?
Perhaps I would recommend booking a fitting at Young & Miller since they'll have all the samples. If you do find something you adore then well and good, but if not, at least it would give you confirmation of what you want in a design. Then Revati or Hyperion or whomever's designs appeal to you best could take your specifications and put them to work.
Yes, each new year does offer its new sets of challenges and surprises, doesn't it? For us it's as if all the parents are merely waiting for their children to return to school before the season truly starts.
You'll be pleased to know Toshenka has spoken well of you already to Lucius (and to me). It sounds as if you, he and Raz shall have quite the social circle of your own, before long!
Re: Private message to Narcissa Malfoy
Date: 2012-09-11 03:27 am (UTC)On the robes, I'd had that idea - you're so right that things often look so completely different on. I have guesses, of course, but it'd be so much easier to do with actual comparisons. I'll see about an appointment with Young & Miller, and let you know?
(As to my sisters: Diane and I have quite the different set of clothing tastes, so that requires a little careful handling. I'll admit here that it'd be much easier there if you were along: she's quite a devotee of your various commentary. Sage admits herself entirely confused by formal clothing, and Tempest's schedule is horrid, so really it's Diane and Mum who are my best choices. And Mum will think everything looks stunning, I suspect, which is pleasant but not at all helpful.)
I need to take myself up the tower in a moment, but I'll be in touch about some times and options.
And yes, indeed, on a pleasant little social circle - I'm quite looking forward to after supper conversation with both of them Friday night. Most fascinating to listen to. (And a delight to see Raz with someone who's known him that long - it's not that often I get the chance, you know.)
no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 02:40 am (UTC)Cooper's installation isn't already falling to ruin, is it? I wonder if he's doing better with domestic maintenance. Saw the 2 of them at Mackrell's over the weekend, and thought he looked a bit shopworn.
As for cards. Professor Sinistra is welcome to have my place as the one you trounce at Spite and Malice.
And for keeping current. Which titles did you send him? (But I doubt we've overlapped.)
Is the Quidditch schedule available yet? May go along this year on the Puddlemere scouting visits. Assuming other duties don't prevent it.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 03:02 am (UTC)The installation is fine. But there were high winds in that recent storm and one of the wings now has a bend where it oughtn't have. So a little maintenance is in order.
(Whirl, for one. I forget the other. Not nearly as extensive a subscription array as yours.)
I'm sure the schedule's available; we've only Draco's matches on our agenda, of course.
no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 03:16 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 03:29 am (UTC)There were others I considered, but - well, surely he'll have renewed Word Has It on his own? (Toshenka, if you're reading, do let us know if we're revealing secrets that might damage your fearsome reputation with your young charges.)
no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 09:14 am (UTC)And thank you -- I hadn't had the chance to even think about figuring out which were still worth taking, which had sprung up in my absence, and which had gone to seed, actually. Your devotion to my extracurricular enrichment is deeply appreciated. (Did you throw in Witch Weekly, actually? Doubt I'll have time for social events, this season at least, but the well-bred warlock should always be capable of discussing fashion over the interval at the opera, as Ummi always took pains to remind me. Are jewel tones "in" this season?)
no subject
Date: 2012-09-11 09:14 am (UTC)