Private message to Narcissa

[alt_antonin]

Not as successful as we hoped, milaya, but not as bad as it could have been, at least.

I hope you realise I have no interest in being your jailer; as far as I am concerned you are family sheltering here in extremis, not anything more sinister. The lotus suite is yours for as long as you have need of it, and you may direct Berry to change anything about it that does not suit you. Barty and I are accustomed to drinks and discussion in the library in the evenings when we are both free; you are invited to join us whenever you would like. Likewise, if there is anyone you would like to see, or any company that would be a comfort, invite them at any time; you need not ask permission.

I cannot ease your pain, nor the indignity of confinement, but I hope you will treat this as your own home, however unpleasant the circumstances that led to you being forced to it.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

Yes, it could have been worse. Though one wonders if it's worth the bother, in some ways.

Forgive me, Toshenka, if I seem short or snappish. You have been grace itself. And this - prison, for want of a kinder term, is at least more comfortable than that afforded Lucius.

I am not half as upset as I suppose I should be at the thought of Cadmus Mulciber wandering the halls of Kensington. It should enrage me but in truth I'm not sure I could stand the place anymore. It would just feel impossibly empty now. Thank Merlin we at least had time to send the elves for any personal items, or I should be entirely justified in burning it to the ground to keep Muciber's grimy paws off anything of import.

As for seeing anyone ... no. The only people I want to see are you, and Barty and Rod. Perhaps Mother. Though maybe not quite yet.

And Lucius. But that it seems is not to be allowed.

[alt_antonin]

My dear little flower, you are well within your rights to snap at anyone you please. I will not be offended if I am that target; better me than certain others. At very least you may be certain that with me you don't have to smile and play at being unaffected by the string of tragedies you have undergone in such short order.

As to Kensington, well, do let me know if you'd like me to drop by and make certain the elves have not missed anything. Or to reinforce the protections upon it -- it would be most unfortunate for Mulciber were the rebels to choose it as their next Fiendfyre target, but whoever can predict the next move of such madmen?

I have taken the liberty, as well, to reach out to some of the Azkaban guards to see how Lyoushka fares. They assure me that he is receiving the finest Azkaban has to offer, scant though that might be: a cell near the guard-post where the Dementors do not approach as often, a better mattress, tea, chocolate, hot water and soap. I have assured them in return that so long as he remains so well-treated, I shall continue my contributions to the guards' benevolent fund; I believe we are in perfect agreement.

I shall send Berry up with a pot of chamomile tea and some of Ummi's potion for sweet sleep, if you'd like it -- it is not so effective as Dreamless Sleep, but nowhere near as addictive.

[alt_narcissa]

If there is one thing about Kensington I shall miss, it's Mr Cooper's installations. Not to mention their value, which rose alarmingly when he passed so suddenly. But they would never look right in the Manor's gardens, truly.

It is good to know that we may be able to send him some creature comforts. Poor man, you know how he detests chocolate but he will simply have to endure it. He's ever so particular about his linen, however, so perhaps in your next shipment we may contrive to include fresh robes.

I admit a potion-induced sleep might be pleasantly the thing. As for tea ... I don't suppose you have any chamomile with lemon infusion, Tosha? If so, it would be welcome.

[alt_antonin]

Yes, of course. I should have thought to offer -- Barty brought me some lemons yesterday, and they were a great help. I've some potions that may help as well. I've sent Berry with a tray.

(Sometimes I wonder if we are all getting entirely too old for this sort of thing.)

Fresh robes, and clean sheets. Towels and pillowcases (and a better pillow to put in them). Perhaps you might think through what else he might find a comfort -- I daren't chance too large a shipment, and I'm certain that some of what's sent will be diverted, but with enough Galleons to ease the way and a bit of care to make certain that whatever we send Lyoushka, we send twice as much for the guards to divide amongst themselves, enough of what we send should reach him to be a help.