Narcissa Malfoy

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.

My dearest girl,

Well, it seems it's been a trying week for you! You can imagine my surprise when I saw you announce the end of your attachment, after you fought so hard to obtain it.

I've been to see your parents - yes, both of them - and had their side of what happened. One can read between the lines, of course, but I rather suspect there is more to it, particularly as they were as surprised (though pleased) to see your news as I was.

I had hoped we might spend a few days together when you returned for the holidays but your mother apparently has different plans. Since I am not to be allowed to see you in private, and she cannot confiscate your journal while you are at school, I'm afraid we must communicate thus for the time being. (No, I am not certain she will do any such thing but you know your mother as well as I do and it is far from an impossibility.)

Hydra, I am certain that your heart must be breaking into splinters and I am so sorry to think of you in that sort of pain. It is the worst agony anyone can know, when love betrays us. It seems cruelly unfair that a hurt which has no physical basis can be so absolute but there is no power on earth so potent as love, and therefore no pain deeper than its ruin.

But I for one believe your decision is the most sensible you've taken since you began to fancy the young man so desperately. And while I am sure that it hurts now, perhaps more than any of the insults you have suffered before, I hope that in time, you will understand why you have made the best choice possible under the circumstances.

In all honesty, I was surprised most by your father's opinion on the matter. Oh, I heard that you violated his terms absolutely - yet I believed when he set them that even he knew they would never hold. I was sure your inseparable bond with him would win him over even in the face of your defiance - indeed, knowing your father, I would have thought him happy to see you showing a spark of belligerence, even if it was to him. But I'm afraid there we both misguessed him completely. Naturally he had his reasons .... Oh, and in a way, I suppose, he did indulge you one last time by not storming up and killing Mr Finch-Fletchley immediately.

Your mother, of course, sees the situation differently. She is far less worried about your reputation as a flirt than she is about your focus on your studies and your future. I am not sure she even noted your lover's name - except that your mother is, after all, your mother, and notes everything whether she lets on or not.

In either case, sweet child, you were very lucky to have escaped a worse calamity. Though surely you do not see it that way at present, and I wish, more than anything, that I could help you to heal. Alas, time and distance are the only things that can mend your ailment. (Though I trust a day together when you could pour your heart out in safety would not have gone amiss!)

You deserve every happiness, Hydra darling, and I pray that now you are past the first passion of youthful lust, you will eventually find a more lasting, deeper love, with one who is worthy of you. It was brave and quite mature of you to give him up, to accept what was inevitable and to look forward to a brighter future on the horizon, without someone like him to drag you down.

I know it seems impossible now, but you will be better and stronger in the long run for taking this step. I'm proud of you and in time, your parents will see that you've learned, perhaps not without heartache, but all the more deeply for that, what it is to grow up.

Your ever-caring,

Aunt Narcissa

Aurora, it was a delightful surprise to run into you in New London yesterday. Your mother is enchanting; I'm so glad to have met her at last.

Now, I am certain that Raz plans for the two of you to stay at Spencer but we've decided to open Kensington for the whole of the Faire, so if either of you feel that it's too much to prepare the place just for a night or two, do feel free to stay with us instead. It would be such fun. For one thing, I know Mother's dying to know some deliciously improper things about our Razzer but is far too sensible to expect a truthful answer from him! You mustn't think it shall all be the third degree, either; I'm sure you've had more than enough interrogation for the time being. No, we shall all be quite cozy, I think: Amanda's coming down for a nice, long visit as well and I daresay we shall see Étienne at least once or twice, as well as Igor, so you shall even have the benefit of other academicians for conversation.

We plan to settle ourselves at the weekend.

Dominic, Chloe: Lucius was just saying last night that it's been ages since we've had you over for supper. Well, if you've a mind, as I said, we shall both be in town for the next two weeks and you're welcome to come - Tuesday or Thursday, I think, would be the best nights - or if you prefer to use our invitation as an excuse to get to the country, then I'm afraid that after the 27^th is the best I can offer.

But we do plan to have friends in on Monday - just drinks, and then going on to stroll the avenue down to where the agora is being installed - and of course, we look forward to seeing you both there. Barty, that goes for you as well! You've been working much too hard, dear boy; it's time to leave that study you've turned into your office-away-from-the-office and get some fresh air.

Rod, it's no trouble to bring Rigel along, I'll love having him while you're attending to other matters. And you know Mother adores her grandson! She'll have every stall along the northern bank giving him sweets and treats, from Battersea all the way to Waterloo!

Rodolphus, I've time for tea tomorrow, if you're still looking for a chance to show off Rigel's new trick.

I've had to re-arrange things a bit for today, though, as it's one of the rare times when our third-weekly card party conflicts with my usual self-pamper at the start of the month. Amanda, you'll have to represent the family without me, I'm afraid. (And tell me everything you heard, later - omit no detail!)

Now that the furor has subsided a bit, I think we may all look forward to the healthy competition of four Champions, though I understand it has required some adjustment on the part of the organisers. Still, I cannot imagine anyone questioning either of Hogwarts' young heroes' eligibility, if as is clearly the case, the Cup could not choose between them. To Mr Diggory: Well done and best of luck, young man. It's not often Hufflepuff has an opportunity to show its mettle. You can be very proud to have been named worthy of such distinction.

Harry, dear, I'm sure you'll perform admirably. You do always seem to find your way out of tight situations and to everyone's benefit, in the bargain. Why, I for one still remember that our poor Hydra might have died had you and Draco not saved her. Anyone who can effect such a rescue at twelve years of age certainly stands an even chance of success in the challenges ahead, even only two years later. More importantly, your illustrious Father deems it proper and right that you represent your House and school in this contest. And that alone ought to be enough reason for anyone to proceed.

Barty: Yes, I am going to Portsmouth tomorrow morning. I've got to start the annual search for suitable dishes for our party, after all. Did you still wish for me to pick up more fish paste for your larder, if they have it? I'll have them send it round to your elves.

Oh, and Rosa, again, the shower was too precious. I cannot believe that in your condition you managed all those mobiles over the tables. Now, I trust that St Gerard's is taking proper care of you? After all, forgive me, but... older expecting mothers are one of their specialties. Do be sure to ask for Healer Moritz by name if you're not getting the full treatment. And again, we're so proud of Draco and Pansy, of course. By the time her little brother arrives, she'll be quite the known name in the Protectorate!