Narcissa Malfoy

We're a pair, aren't we, my dear. You've lost your bride to one grave, and I've apparently gained back my son from another, and there can be no happiness in either circumstance.

I wish I could say I had no foreboding about the match but I hope you do know that I hate to think of you in distress or pain. Have there been any further unpleasant repercussions?

Tell me what could comfort you, darling. Besides the one thing I wish I could give.

Toshenka, I understand felicitations are in order. Congratulations to you, father-of-the-groom. Miss Greengrass will make a welcome addition to the family, I'm sure. It's clear she thinks the world of Barty and has for some time.

I do hope you'll forgive the intrusion, but I rather need to borrow my niece, if she can be spared for an afternoon. Today, if possible. I shall open the Manor Floo for her. I do apologise for the short notice but there has been - a death in the family. Hydra, I'm sorry to upset you in so impersonal a forum as your journals but it's Pascoal. Your Nanella needs you, dear.

Lunch, soon? I feel just about ready to face the world again so we needn't meet at Cottesmore if you are craving daylight, or I can arrange to have it delivered there if you still need rest.

I promise to tell you all about a visit I had from Ursula Avery, if you promise to tell me all about the clearly fascinating Hogwarts Head Girl. Really, dear, it's none too subtle.

Or are you still cross with me for ignoring you at Christmastime?

Nic Broome just came in person to see me. He delivered a summons. I'm to come to Court tomorrow.

Given what greeted all of you on Monday, I know I ought not dare to hope. But - perhaps Our Lord's recent stance on fighting among your numbers has also brought about a reconsideration in certain other quarters?

In either case, I feel the need of moral support. Would you be willing to escort me into Our Lord's presence? Perhaps He wishes to discuss the matter further, and be convinced, in which case additional voices to plead for clemency, to remind Him of Lucius' past service, would be of great use.

And I suppose you knew something of his scheme to pack me off without so much as a by-your-leave?

If either of you think for a MOMENT that I would abandon them, especially now, you are out of your minds.

Tosha, too, if he'd had anything to do with it.

Why does Our Lord surround Himself with such - children? No, worse than children. You are all little boys.

Lucius just told me about Cadmus's difficulty.

I trust neither of you have any lingering symptoms? It might be prudent to take stock, particularly if there's any possibility the traitors used other curses with delayed effects.

(Forgive me if I am pleased that for once, my husband seems to have escaped unscathed.)

Barty, can you tell us anything more about the other incident - the one in Bedford? Shall it impact trade greatly? If there are items one ought to have on hand before they run short, one would like notice. Lucius has been trying to get a better brief on what's happened - whether it was the same group or another instance of the new spell used at Saltash. Tosha, are you going to inspect the area for comparison?

No doubt you both have heard of Lucius' falling out with Ari Baddock. (Tosha, I'd be surprised if you had not got the whole story from him last Thursday when he came to Hogwarts for the Governors' meeting.)

It's been over a week and I think that's quite long enough for their tempers to rule them. The two of them are both behaving like children over the sordid business and neither will see reason. Personally, while I agree that Ari should have been more vigilant against Miss Parkinson's deviousness, I don't see that it's grounds for Lucius to call to an end a friendship spanning thirty years. And then to compound it by blocking Ari's appointment to the Governors, at the last moment - well, it's no wonder Ari has also been fuming over the last few days. Pandora and I met for tea yesterday, unbeknownst to either of our husbands, and she told me that Lucius' fury is matched only by Ari's indignation.

So far neither of us have been able to make a dent in their attitudes. But I was hoping, perhaps, you might have more success with Lucius, at least. I don't think I need to tell you that Ari's support has always been something Lucius valued at Court as well as in all personal matters. And this rift - I had the most disturbing conversation with Isadora Rowle this afternoon. I'm not sure what to make of it but I fear it might signal that others will interpret this rift between them as a ... an indication that Lucius' control is slipping.

He would never tell me such a thing, you understand. But perhaps you can appeal to him in ways that he would not appreciate coming from me.

If he should ask, I'm writing to make sure you both received invitations from the DoP for our speaker series this year.

Pandora's asked me to help find a suitable home for Ptolemy and Karoline once they return from their honeymoon; I was thinking of walking round Berkeley Square to see what might be open to let but this horrid weather has quite taken away my taste for it. One does find the rain much more enjoyable when one is indoors with a cup of strong tea.

There's one bright spot to the spring so far: The Summer Concert series has been announced. Toshenka, you'll be able to attend a number of the concerts, I trust? And Barty, I promise no fancy dress robes required: Picnic suppers under fairy lights, with twilight darkening all round the Protector's Park. I'll send you the guidebooks, shall I? It opens on the 3^rd Saturday of June and runs through sometime in August.


Oh, and before I forget: June, dear, of course I'll be happy to assist with the DoP luncheon. Whatever could have given you the impression I was not interested? I did think I made it clear that Siobhan would provide adequate representation from the youngest generation of the Calderwood family, though, did I not? If you need further reasons, I suggest you make an appointment with me at the club. I think you already realise that Cassandra's hopes for induction are quite unrealistic, no matter what the outcome of her N.E.W.T. exams. Such a disappointment for you, I'm sure.


Aurora, are we meeting tomorrow? I had it down but thought I might have the date confused. Was that before or after your plans changed?


Ned, Lana: Do bring Sarah and her young man with you this Friday night. We'd love to see all of you. I promise you'll be able to get away from us stodgy old people before the pubs close.

Maebh,

I've a favour to ask, if you would.

I don't wish to go into details that you may find painful but I fear that a mutual friend has suffered a blow and requires a place to recover, in the way that is best for him. Would you consider arranging for him to spend a few days with only Kit to keep him company? I'm sure he'd be in capable hands and you could avoid renewing your acquaintance.

I think you know I would not ask if I did not judge it necessary. Or if it's impossible at present, perhaps you could tell me of another establishment you could recommend besides your own? I thought Snowdonia mostly because he's already quite familiar with your lodge and of course, the territory on the preserve. If you agree to offer him the free run of the place, then I suggest that an anonymous owl to him might serve as the best invitation.

I'm sure he'll see the subject of this message and think the worst. If he asks me, which I doubt he shall, I intend to tell him I contacted you to arrange a hunting party this summer. It's quite true: Lucius has been wanting to return in more temperate weather and summer holidays ought to be the perfect setting for us to bring Draco in between his responsibilities as a counsellor in the YPL.

Meanwhile, though, I hope you will do this - for the sake of his recent difficulty. Or for the sake of what might have been, if no other reason.

I hope I shall see you at the DoP induction in July, if not before? And do, please, let me know about available weekends. I shall have to check against all our calendars, of course, but I hope we might find something that would work.

Yours in friendship,

Narcissa C.B. Malfoy

Did you sleep at all last night?

I hope one of us could do.

Now, don't fuss. I've talked to Ardenia and she's going to send you her very best. His name's Gaheris Gaffert and you're not to torment him; he's coming tomorrow to help you and he'll return on Saturday as well to make sure the final touches are right. Ardenia assures me he's discreet and more to the point, bearable. So bear it. I've asked Ned to make sure your calendar is clear tomorrow afternoon.

It's ... a lot to take in, Barty. It's a lot for you to have been through, as well.

Shall you talk to Mafalda about taking some time or must I?