It snowed this morning in London. Looking at the street it struck me, as it always does this time of year, that without all the Muggle traffic, the streets remain clean for much longer. There is the passage of an occasional Ministry car or private vehicle, for those who do not Apparate, but by and large it looks much as it must have done in my grandfather's day.
Ari has taken the family to Cardiff for the holiday, so we were not on for tea to-day. Instead, I am free to pay a visit to Walburga to see how she is getting on with Pansy. The Minister was kind enough to send a basket of fruit - real, of course - that ought to be perfect for sharing.
Crispin printed up notes of thanks for all the others who have sent presents, here or to the Manor. More arrived this year than we can possibly use ourselves, I am afraid, particularly as so many of the boxes contain chocolates or other sweets. Gave Crispin his pick of the parcels for his nephews, in fact. (I wonder that Dolores' basket did not contain chocolate packets and biscuits - usually it does. Somehow I detect Miss Robins' hand in that.)
Packages from Amanda and Mother arrived through the Ministry channels to-day, as well. Their gifts went out ages ago, but Amanda only wrote last week to say they had received them.
Only one meeting to-morrow, thank Merlin, and then Narcissa and I shall take Draco to Buckingham. Afterward, we intend to make the most of a Christmas Eve with no one else in the house!
Ari has taken the family to Cardiff for the holiday, so we were not on for tea to-day. Instead, I am free to pay a visit to Walburga to see how she is getting on with Pansy. The Minister was kind enough to send a basket of fruit - real, of course - that ought to be perfect for sharing.
Crispin printed up notes of thanks for all the others who have sent presents, here or to the Manor. More arrived this year than we can possibly use ourselves, I am afraid, particularly as so many of the boxes contain chocolates or other sweets. Gave Crispin his pick of the parcels for his nephews, in fact. (I wonder that Dolores' basket did not contain chocolate packets and biscuits - usually it does. Somehow I detect Miss Robins' hand in that.)
Packages from Amanda and Mother arrived through the Ministry channels to-day, as well. Their gifts went out ages ago, but Amanda only wrote last week to say they had received them.
Only one meeting to-morrow, thank Merlin, and then Narcissa and I shall take Draco to Buckingham. Afterward, we intend to make the most of a Christmas Eve with no one else in the house!