Lazy Week-end

[alt_lucius]

As mentioned elsewhere, the celebrations on Friday were very enjoyable. Drinks at White's, followed by supper at The Wolseley, which closed to the public for the occasion. The Warlocks were a truly pleasant surprise. The evening went quite late and I fear some indulged rather more than others. (Speaking of which, Minerva, I trust you stayed over in London? Narcissa was concerned you might try to Apparate all the way back to Hogwarts in your ... condition. Are you quite recovered?) We ourselves stayed at Kensington rather than attempt Wiltshire.

Still working through the notes of thanks to all who sent tokens. Draco, your card was much appreciated. No need to apologise for it: The portrait of your Aunt was exceedingly well-done, particularly seeing as it was from memory. I know that you and your fellow students are under some strain with the current restrictions. The remembrance is more important than the form of present - though in this case, the present itself also served admirably. (And to Ari, for the reading glasses: I look forward to paying you back at a suitable moment!)

Luckily for us, Saturday had no set agenda. I confess it was well after noon before I braved the light of day. We did not even return to the Manor until supper, which was spent in a small party including Ari and Pandora, Stephen, Rabastan, Bella and Rodolphus. Sunday continued the relaxing, quiet trend. I do not think I have spent an entire day at home since Christmas. Even able to read a little for leisure, rather than work. Bliss.


Nonetheless, time marches on: Another birthday gone, and March already. First of the month accounts to-day, of course, along with a dash out to Shroton, Ampfield and Broxtowe, in company with Rookwood and Spencer-Wells, to review the progress of the measures enacted to counter Black's sabotage. At a recent court, Our Lord reminded us all that we must conquer our fears to become truly strong, and quite right. The cure, such as it is, has already shown promising results where it has been introduced and with proper precautions observed as they have been in the camps all along, there remains a minimal danger to purebloods. Still, owing to the fullness of the rest of the day, hope the visits will be brief.

Wizarding Wireless Board this afternoon. And back to the Ministry for another discussion with Plympton, Scrimgeour and Minister Fudge on the status of the DoM investigation.


Narcissa received some ill news early this morning. Her niece was admitted to St Mungo's yesterday, with what the Healers are certain is Black's paralysis. She was in the first stages, they said, but until the cure can be modified for half-bloods there is little the staff can do but keep her comfortable and try to control the fever. Narcissa has not decided yet whether she ought to visit, or if it is better to leave her to the care of the Healers and her rest. She may yet go to St Mungo's to-morrow for her regular volunteer shift.


Meanwhile, court and country await. Back to business.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

I'm sure I can see her for a short time tomorrow when I go. I don't really see any reason to go round there today. I spoke to her healer, Healer Page, this morning via Floo and she said that Nymphadora is in and out of consciousness. Rest is what she needs more than anything else, and interruption can hardly be of use to her right now.

[alt_lucius]

Quite reasonable, my dear. I'm sure she'll be fine.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Narcissa.

I'm sorry to hear of your cousin's trouble. Is there anything you need?

[alt_narcissa]

No, indeed, thank you. We're fine.

I have to say I never thought Black would poison his own blood relation, especially seeing as how she was the product of a union he himself fair applauded at the time, despite the disgrace to the family.

I suppose it's a mark of his desperation.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Whether it's a mark of his desperation or simply another sign of his utter degeneracy, Black seems to make no distinction between family, friends, enemies, or allies: all of us in Our Lord's realm are his targets.

Of course, I imagine he might have chosen this particular target out of a desire to hurt you and Lucius. He would be hard-pressed to mount a direct attack on you or Lucius, and with Draco safely protected at Hogwarts, Nymphadora was the obvious, easiest mark he could choose.

I did send a note to inform my parents of her situation, but as you know, they're unlikely to trouble themselves on her behalf. I'm afraid she didn't endear herself to them. I apologise for the position this leaves you in, Narcissa, so let me say again that if there is anything I could do to assist you, I'll see that it's done.

[alt_narcissa]

You're very kind, Barty.

As you know, Nymphadora was a difficult child. We did not hear from your parents often, but when we did it was generally to note that she had a rebellious spirit and a fractious disposition. Her mother's daughter, certainly. For that reason alone, I would have thought Black might have spared her. Still, the family have had such a hard time of late, what with Lucretia and Cassie both passing so close together. I should hate to have to break more bad news to Mother or Aunt Walburga so soon.

Mr Weasley's report is encouraging. News from the camps or from Mr Rookwood would be more encouraging still.

[alt_ron]

I'm sorry to hear your cousin isn't well, Mrs Malfoy. That's very sad.

[alt_narcissa]

Thank you.

It's Ronald, isn't it? I'm terribly sorry, but I don't believe we've met.

Were you at Draco's fete over Christmas? I don't recall a Ronald on his guest list. But you are in his class, aren't you?

[alt_ron]

Yes, ma'am. My name's Ronald Weasley. I'm in second year, like your son.

I was at school for the hols.

[alt_narcissa]

Ah, yes. Now I remember. Draco has mentioned you on occasion. You're one of Miss Parkinson's friends, are you not?

He's mentioned that as well.

[alt_ron]

Yes, ma'am. Pansy is my friend.

[alt_narcissa]

And Marvolo as well, if I'm not mistaken. Weren't you the young man who arranged for that dramatic entrance at the beginning of the school term? In your father's car, yes?

I do believe Draco mentioned that you've continued to use your broken wand. I can understand your parents wishing to punish you for breaking it in the first place, but surely they could have arranged a suitable replacement by now?

After all, if nothing else, your mother did manage a small codicil in her Aunt Lucretia's will. Surely between that and her other enterprises she could have saved enough by now?

[alt_ron]

Yes, ma'am. That was me.

I suppose my mother has her reasons, ma'am. And now, at any rate, no one could send a new wand here to the school, so it'll be Easter at least before I could get one. And no one knows yet whether the restrictions will be over by then.

We all hope so, but who knows, right?

[alt_narcissa]

That's very astute of you. One hopes that your damaged wand will not affect your performance too adversely this year.

I'm sure your parents would be mortified if you had to repeat the whole of second year, or even part of it, and not advance with the others your age.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Agh!

[alt_ron]

I hope so, ma'am.

I'm doing all right in the lessons that don't require wandwork, I think. It's nice of you to worry. I'm sure Mum will appreciate it.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

So wait.

Does this mean purebloods are getting it now? Or, no. Wait.

Wait!

The Malfoys have a halfblood cousin? How did I not know about that?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

I don't know how you didn't know about that, everyone in Slytherin knows.

Narcissa Malfoy is Bellatrix Lestrange's sister, you knew that much didn't you?

They had ANOTHER sister. Her name was Andromeda. She married a muggleborn and they had a child together. Andromeda and her husband were both killed during the war but the child wasn't, well she isn't a child anymore she's a grownup. That's Nymphadora Tonks, she works at the Ministry and she's friends with your Dad, she pops round his office for tea sometimes. She had only just graduated from Hogwarts when we started. She was a Hufflepuff, I think.

Anyway Miss Tonks is Draco's first cousin on his mum's side and Hydra's first cousin on her mum's side. And everyone knows Draco and Hydra have a halfblood cousin but of course no one talks about it much.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Well, obviously, I knew Mrs Lestrange and Mrs Malfoy are sisters. They're Blacks. But I didn't know anything about their having another sister who married a muggleborn. That's dead amazing. I mean, I bet that went down a treat with their family! Though I guess the Blacks must've been used to that sort of thing.

Actually, d'you think that was before or after Sirius Black turned out to be a traitor?

But, see, this is actually worse. They're such what's the word? They talk all about being pure and then they've got mixed marriages and children right there in their own families and they're such such, I dunno, liars to say it's awful and all. That's just. Agh!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Well it's not as if they APPROVED of Andromeda's marriage. You'll note she's dead now, her husband too. By rights they should have been allowed to live quietly if her husband surrendered his wand, and they weren't.

Miss Tonks is seven years older than us. So she was probably born in 1973. The war was in the early 1980s and Sirius couldn't have been a traitor before the war because there wasn't a Lord Protector to be a traitor to. So Andromeda Black must have married a muggleborn way before Sirius Black was officially a traitor but he might have had the idea before she did. Hard to go ask, though.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Yeah.

Help!!!

I even have to answer YOU!!!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Well at least if you're answering me you're not poking at Lucius Malfoy or Mr Selwyn or MR CROUCH for Merlin's sake!

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Gah!!!!

I have to go answer Mrs Malfoy again. It doesn't work to do it under the lock.

[alt_arthur]

I saw your niece yesterday, Mrs Malfoy. I'd happened to pop in at the shop where she works part time and learned she was ill, and as we've developed a friendly acquaintance during her work here at the Ministry, I stopped briefly by the hospital to see how she was doing. She woke a little while I was there, and while she was obviously feeling poorly, she recognised me and told me that the healers were doing all that could be expected.

Molly and I send our wishes for her swift recovery.

[alt_narcissa]

Thank you very much for the report, Mr Weasley. I'm sure she was grateful for the visit.

[alt_ron]

Hello, Dad!

[alt_selwyn]

I'm sorry to hear your niece is sick, Narcissa. I'm sure she's receiving the best possible care, and I hope she recovers quickly.

[alt_narcissa]

Thank you, Dominic.

Whether she recovers, quickly or otherwise, is I am afraid entirely up to Augustus Rookwood and his team of analysts. The sooner he - or St Mungo's - can substantiate a credible cure for the half-blood strain of Black's paralysis, the better.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Your birthday celebration was a welcome recess from the weekend's other duties.

Would you have time for luncheon today? I have a question or two for you about the interesting turn matters took this morning.

[alt_lucius]

Luncheon to-day? ... Possibly, if Spencer-Wells and Rookwood can push our visits to the camps until after the WWN meeting.

I'll have Crispin change the schedule.

I'm sure you are aware of Our Lord's interest in collecting artifacts, particularly anything that may have belonged to Salazar Slytherin.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Hm. Perhaps that's what it was.

If you're able to rearrange things in your schedule, perhaps we should see if Rodolphus is available as well.

[alt_lucius]

Yes, it's set. Rodolphus says he'll join us if he can break away, but he's just as a tricky point in his latest project.

Would you prefer Sotheby's? Or Clarke's?

[alt_crouch_jr]

Let's make it Clarke's. I'll see we get one of their more private tables.

[alt_ron]

Hello, sir.

I don't believe we've met. My name's Ronald Weasley, and I'm a student at Hogwarts.

So, well, I guess I just wanted to say 'Hello'.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Did you swear off all common sense for your birthday Ron? WHY are you chatting up Draco's father?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Uh.

I dunno. It just seemed

Yeah, no idea.

[alt_ron]

Hello, sir.

I didn't realise our birthdays are so close together. Odd that!

Er.

Many happy returns and all.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed.

Well, thank you. And to you, as well.

It's Weasley? Not Arthur Weasley's son, is it? Who is the young man in Communications - Bill? Surely you can't be his son?

[alt_ron]

Yes, sir. I'm Arthur Weasley's son. Bill's my brother.

[alt_lucius]

Yes, of course - as my wife pointed out, you are a friend of my god-daughters. And Molly Prewett's son, as well, if I am not mistaken.

That explains much.

[alt_ron]

Yes, sir. My mother is Molly Prewett Weasley.

I'm not sure I understand, sir.

[alt_lucius]

I'd expect not. Nor are you meant to do, young man.

[alt_ron]

Oh. All right, then.

Thank you, sir.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Ron.

SHUT IT.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Er.

I can't?

Order Only

[alt_molly]

Hmph. And what is THAT supposed to mean??