Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Son,

First, well done, again, regarding your performance in the production. Your mother is particularly proud of you and Hydra.

I have been giving more thought to our discussion during the Quidditch match last week. Of course, it's natural that you are reaching the age where curiosity about the fair sex will occupy a good portion of your thoughts. It's also entirely true that it is not too early to start thinking about suitable companionship - but I do not think it fair to say that you must limit yourself to eligible witches at this time. For one thing, learning to navigate the uncharted territory of female caprice is, to say the least, something that requires trial and error even among the most confident of warlocks. Your uncles, for example, would likely agree that no-one would blame or even look askance should you decide, as we ourselves have done in the past, to first test your proficiency among witches for whom one could have no expectation of future partnership. Thus any mistakes you might make - and there will be mistakes, my son, we've all been there - occur among a social set unlikely to cause any embarrassment or difficulty later when you do begin thinking more seriously about your options.

As a case in point, I could not fail to notice that Miss Weasley made so bold as to write to you and Mr Zabini. Now, before you deny any attraction, don't worry! I am presuming nothing of the sort, nor do I violate our bargain that I would avoid prying into your comments and posts on the journals by noting that an exchange of commentary has obviously occurred. On the other hand, should you wish for, shall we say, practice at the art of attracting and ah, dating, a young woman, she is not entirely an ill-advised choice.

Whether or not you choose to pursue her specifically, you do have at your disposal an opportunity to assist me, if you so desire, by dissembling with her to gain her confidence. As you know, I have no love for her disgrace of a family - but it has thus far proved difficult to confirm any actual traitorous activity within their home. (Should never have believed Arthur Weasley clever enough to have maintained the charade so long, but there it is.) It occurs to me that Miss Weasley, especially by dint of her palpable wish to disassociate herself from them, may present an enlightening window on her parents and their politics.

I leave it up to you. There is certainly no penalty for deciding you would rather not become too closely linked to her for any reason, nor would you find in me any disappointment should you refuse this test. You would, however, lose no respect among your peers or mine, I think, if you made clear to them privately your motivations for taking a course of action such as I have outlined. And you may potentially expose a nest of traitors in the bargain, and be able to claim credit for the cleverness of your actions as well.

The choice is yours, though you need not tell me whether you take up the gauntlet of this challenge for your own reasons or mine. I shall say no more on the subject and leave to you the course you will chart. Should you wish to respond with your decision, that is, of course, a most welcome correspondence. Moreover, if you wish for further advice or direction, it is always here at your service. I am in meetings the rest of the day (per usual), so it may be a while before I have liberty to reply, but you know I shall do so at my earliest opportunity. Until such time, then, I am, as ever,

Your Loving,

Father

Comments

[alt_draco]

What do you mea
So does that mean YOU

Father, I don't know if I could stand it if people thought I actually fancied Ginny Weasley - or anyone else I don't actually fancy. Because if I don't fancy a girl, she's probably awful, spotty or too fat, or too thin, or just plain stupid, or boring somehow. I don't want anyone to think I fancy someone like that.

I hadn't thought about practising, though. Do you suppose other people do that, with people they don't really like? I mean, I know you said my Uncles did, but about some of the people my own age. Are they already practising with people they have no future prospect with?

The Weasley girl is definitely embarrassed by her family, but I don't know if it goes further than that. Maybe I could try to find out.

[alt_lucius]

No, I don't expect you or anyone would pursue a dalliance with a girl for whom one feels no attraction whatsoever. Only that you need not fear damage to your own eligibility should you accrue conquests of lesser stock than would make a suitable partner.

That is why, as I said, I made no presumption whether you find the girl attractive or no, nor would I fault you in the slightest for an inability to overcome revulsion and feign romantic interest. There are other ways to gain her trust, if you wished to do, without making her believe herself the object of your affection.

As for whether others practise, I can assure you that it is altogether natural. And I see you've scratched through a question: Yes, I certainly followed this course myself in my youth - not so young as you, perhaps, but long before your Mother and I began keeping company.

Of course, there can be misunderstandings among those outside of your circle, which is why I wished to assure you I should not leap to judgement. Your grandmother made such an assumption about a girl I saw for a while in my sixth year, Francesca Quimby - quarter-blooded, bourgeois stock, no danger that I might become so enamoured that I would falter and offer more than appropriate - and I remember clearly the day she insisted I cease the affair. Women being what they are, I did not see fit to explain that she need not have any fear I intended to make Francesca the next Mrs Malfoy; my reasons for spending time with her had no such lofty aspirations.

Obviously, you are still on the young side for that level of practice - but I do remember that 14 is about the age when suddenly it becomes very important to have a companion for Hogsmeade trips or the odd Saturday evening 'revising' session. Rest assured, whether your eye falls on Miss Weasley or another, I shall not grow concerned your heart follows your ... other inclinations.

[alt_draco]

She's not not attractive, she's just a Weasley. That says it all, doesn't it?

I suppose if anyone ought to have damaged his eligibility by now, it would be Uncle Raz, and yet he's always at the top of those bachelor lists in the magazines.

What about girls? Do they practise on boys beneath their station? I can't imagine that Mother did. It probably wouldn't go over as well if a girl did that sort of thing.

[alt_lucius]

It does indeed, son. Though I have recently pointed out to your cousin Pansy that much of adulthood consists of interacting with those whose company one would rather not share.

Your mother ... had her own methods to amuse herself before entertaining my suit. But I believe you have answered your own question. Would you consider a girl who had allowed herself to be compromised?

[alt_draco]

No, not usually. But circumstance might be taken into consideration, on a case-by-case basis. It wouldn't look very good if she made her actions known, though.

Zabini and Greengrass have played around at dating before, I know, but they're both about equal.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed, just as there are circumstances when a boy's actions can land him in hot water, if he is too indiscreet. I believe you've already had occasion to witness such unpleasant situations and will take note of their examples.

Zabini. Ah, you mean Julius Mulciber's step-son? Yes. Well, between his mother's own reputation and the Greengrass penchant for flamboyance, I am not surprised to hear it. Not that there is a disadvantage to dating within one's circle - far from it - but it does present its own set of challenges. One must be extra careful on a number of different planes. In that sense, Miss Weasley is technically pureblood, whereas were to you strike up with Miss Perks, for example, no-one would be nearly as likely to object should you err in judgement or courtesy.

(And no, not that you find her particularly attractive, either.)

[alt_draco]

Not particularly at all.

So if I did try to get to know Ginny Weasley, and see if I can have her say more about her family, then what sort of thing should I be on the lookout for? What sort of traitorous activity is the family thought to be engaged in?

[alt_lucius]

I would advise you not to ask leading or pointed questions on that score. Perhaps the best strategy is simply to validate her conviction that she alone among her siblings is different, worthy and properly sensible of the duties and honours of purity of blood. Gain her trust and surely she will tell you more than you need to know.

As for the manner of their treachery, son, as you said: They are Weasleys. That rather says it all, doesn't it?

[alt_draco]

Obviously I would never do that.

I'll give it some thought. I'm not sure I want her trusting me, it would feel odd. Plus, if she did trust me maybe it would mean that she really is more worthy, like the Head Boy is.

[alt_lucius]

All the more reason to help rid her of ties to an embarrassing family, don't you think?

Well. Do think about your approach. As you say, the Head Boy presents another avenue, so there is no great loss if you decide against using this opportunity.

I shall merely point out that winning the trust of a suspect or, in this case, a witness to alleged sedition, is an essential skill cultivated by Aurors such as Mr Avery, Mr Yaxley, Mr Couch and even your Aunt Bellatrix. Deceiving an innocent to capture an enemy is worth feeling a little 'odd' now and again.

[alt_draco]

Auntie Bellatrix, really? I always figured she probably just went straight for legilimency.

[alt_lucius]

Oh, it's certainly her preferred method. But not all Aurors are Legilimensi and not all occasions allow the luxury of employing the technique.