Private Message to Draco Malfoy
Apr. 18th, 2011 11:30 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_luciusSon,
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
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