Narcissa Malfoy

I've just been hearing about the Erewash incident - the unvarnished account, one might say - and found it curious that you've not been in touch to assure me you're all right. You are, I trust? Surely someone would have told me otherwise.

Then again, it seems the only times I hear from anyone lately are when my loved ones issue dire warnings not to approach Our Lord under any circumstances. Ptolemy invited me to dine with him and Karo at the weekend and I was treated to quite the lecture. Really, as if I needed the telling, given His obvious mood at His birthday remembrance and - other events of late. Nonetheless, it can't go on much longer, if Lucius is to be expected to put right everything going horribly wrong in New London. I fear the Minister can't make many more excuses, or so I hear.

In any event, promise me you shan't lecture if you join me for supper? Friday?

It's terribly dull here, you know, now the leaves are down but before a proper snow. Do say you'll come and liven things up.

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.

Have either of you spoken with Ursula recently?

I'm sorry, she's here and she's quite out of sorts and I just haven't time to write to you separately. You may feel free to ignore each other's responses if that is still your preference.

I've only a moment to ask. Something about Julius taking the Mark and - I'm sure I don't know. I hope I shan't be quite so distraught when Draco becomes one of Our Lord's chosen.

If either of you have any idea what might have upset her please let me know. It might be some time before she can be coherent. Or Barty, if you've spoken to Toshenka and he's mentioned her lately, that might be helpful as well.

It's been too long since you returned, Toshenka, and haven't come to see us.

Feel free to drop in tonight or tomorrow.

Lucius feels sure you two have much to discuss.

Husband,

Are you under the pavilion? Chloe and I thought we just heard something but we were taking a little air.

Then we rounded the corner to see people rushing out to the riverbank. What's going on?

Is Our Lord arriving via the waterside?

Husband,

I received your message. It's all right. I told you it would not matter; we'll simply go another time.

You saw Dolores' latest? I cannot pretend I am anything but relieved to have the SiW taken off my hands (well, you know I was not best pleased to be involved in the first place, nor ever quite sure what I was meant to be doing) but for Merlin's sake. Graceless does not begin to describe the woman.

How you managed all those years, darling, and not end her, I shall never know. To be honest, it gives me new appreciation for your patience, which you know is not your strongest suit.

But nevermind all that: You are well? And Bella, Rod, Raz, Toshenka? Barty? Saw that Ari is back already, along with Augustus, Xerxes and several others. Does that signify progress, I hope?

How is Claudius? The papers have been careful not to make it seem as if he's terribly injured but one can tell there has been a - shift, I suppose. Bella's not too intolerable, I trust. She does so detest managing all the small details.

Everything here is fine, don't worry. Only that I miss you and worry you are taking care of yourself. Is there anything else I can do on this end?

Your waiting,

Narcissa

Yes. All right, I'll admit. It's not much different. I'm hopelessly vain for fretting over a ridiculous number.

But thank you, anyway, for indulging me. From the moment I awoke (and again, the flowers were beautiful) to just now when I turned in, you've made it a perfect day.

Are you certain you can really afford an entire weekend away? With everything you've said might be taking shape to the west?

You know I shall understand if we have to reschedule. Next weekend or next month or next year, it shouldn't matter. I'll love you just as much for the effort.

And I do, you know, Scip. More and more all the time.

From the sound of things here in the Witch Weekly office, dutiful children all over the Protectorate remembered Mothering Day in all sorts of creative and clever ways. I am most happy with Lucius' gift - a set of gold cuffs I had admired not too long ago - and as always a romantic supper in some previously undiscovered corner of the realm. This time it was Winsford and the externally unremarkable Salamander's Nest, which turned out to feature a truly cosy interior and a perfectly superiour rack of lamb. (They've a charming sort of farm as well, which we toured, and saw the darling little creatures awaiting their first shearing - not for another few weeks, I'm told!)

It has been just the sort of restorative we both needed, now that the Faire's vestiges have been cleared away fully and New London's streets are no longer clogged with peddlar's booths of every shape and description. Even returning to the Manor has done little to please me these last few weeks; the grounds have been as grey as Merlin's beard and thoroughly drenched. We shall be glad for it when the gardens flower but for now all one can do is stare out the window into a dreary sort of fog. Winsford's weather was hardly an improvement but at least the scenery was new.

I've been asked to assist with the St Mungo's Jr Auxiliary luncheon but I understand that its project is to be combined with the third and final Tri-Wizard task and that Miss Kendra Carmichael is to provide her expertise on their fundraiser. I can't wait to hear more about it at the luncheon. Or perhaps at the planning committee on Wednesday I might be able to tease some intelligence from the ladies.

But I must say that I quite look forward to the school holidays and time with Draco and Hydra, and Harry, we hope. I daresay this year was preferrable to previous ones in that we were at least able to see them over the Christmas holidays but I do think 7 months is too long to go without spending time together. One grows apart.

Oh, Barty, before I forget: We were so pleased to run into you last week at Hatchard's. Such a surprise, but it was an excellent opportunity to confirm that you'll be at the unveiling. Now, are you still considering Mrs Lindorm's invitation to the wedding? I really think you ought to go, dear; Amata always holds marvellous parties. It's been years since we attended one of her weddings. And just think, you even know the groom again.

Speaking of which, I understand Ned has asked you to stand up for him at his approaching nuptials. It's touching how devoted he's grown to you. So far from his ambition of a few years ago. I daresay MLE is much more exciting than the import and export trade, however.

Lucius, please make my excuses to Our Lord. I shall join you when you return to New London but something's come up here and I've got to stay.

Draco, Mother's sorry to miss seeing you but you'll be home at Easter holidays and we may spend time just the two of us, if you like.

Bella, I don't know if you've put your charm for Walburga's house aside somewhere or not. I admit I had done, myself, and it's only by chance that I came across it in my dresser drawer this evening after Lucius and I returned from the Averys'.

The thing's gone from black to green. That means someone's opened the door.

Now, I don't want to give Draco another turn to make him think his mother's gone off writing to supposedly dead people again. But if that horrible former cousin of ours is dead ... then ... Is there any hope that it's Regulus, returned again?

Lucius, ought we to go immediately and see who's gained entry?