Narcissa Malfoy

There'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.