Private Message to Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy

[alt_antonin]

Old friend, little flower --

Forgive me for not writing you separately, but in the interests of saving time: have finally been set free from my checkup at St M's. I have been cleared for resumption of duty, though rung 'round with dire cautions about attempting to conquer all Gaul in an afternoon. And in possession of a sheet full of exercises I am to undertake morning and evening without fail, to which I shall apply myself diligently in eternal hope the last of this irritating tendency towards losing track of my extremities will soon be behind me. Delay at hospital due entirely to organisational confusion (and gossip in corridors) resulting around that unfortunate Healer's demise, not bad news. Do please discreetly pass the word for everyone concerned to stop fretting.

(You cover it well, all of you, but the lingering looks I've been at wand-end of over the past several days are unmistakeable to one accustomed to reading nuance. Am perfectly aware my reassurances will be taken as the culturally-mandated stiff upper lip, but rest assured, I've no intention of jeopardising my recovery; little petal, I hope to enlist your services in convincing our little family I'm not just blowing smoke up the dragon's nostrils. Old friend, I know you in particular far too well to believe you entirely sanguine no matter how well you pretend.)

Snowflake, since you were present for the overture, I share with you the entr'acte, in the hopes you've amused L with it as well: darling Dolores took my reply entirely at face value, wishes to flatter me into lending my shoulder to shifting weight for her glorious vision. I shall practise my best expressions of puzzled geniality and deploy them in her direction at all turns. The imp of the perverse (and the childish desire to introduce a foot into the stride of an irritant -- must learn to control that impulse, though if I haven't by now it's likely a lost cause) prompted me, after you had left, to issue warning to Raz's astronomer that darling Dolores has it out for her; she assures me it was not new information. (On that note -- I am most cross with you, milaya -- somehow in our cosy little gossip session you neglected to convey how guilelessly delightful Raz's beloved manages to be. Goodness, they're actually a love-match, aren't they? Must confess I was not expecting that!)

My eternal and undying affection to all. Off now to apply myself most studiously to Healer's directives (read: a balanced meal, a mid-day nap, and an hour in the gardens with a pleasant book for company, in no particular order) before addressing the remainder of my obligations. I shall be fetching away to Hogwarts tomorrow afternoon, assuming no disasters arise in my plans -- and that I do not get waylaid by someone else to whom I remain utterly incapable of saying 'no'. (I have so missed you all.)

Disconsolate at the length of time stretching before me until I will again have the pleasure of your company,
T

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

Toshenka, knowing my husband so well as you claim, do you really expect him to stop fretting until you are fully hale once more? I'm sure he was the better for seeing you, however. (And just as a token of my esteem for you, I shall refrain from telling him about the teacup.)

'Darling' Dolores, truly? She made quite the impression! Quick work, even for you. It should be endlessly amusing to watch her twist herself to knots trying to curry your favour while asserting her authority over the poor helpless children. I almost regret that I'll be spared a seat in the Top Box for the whole affair. Only don't let her overtire you, dear.

As for Raz and Aurora, I forget how long you've been away. You surely remember our Razzer's notorious reputation as a rover? I do believe it's her specific blend of sincerity and discretion that brought him to his knees. Really, it's nothing short of astonishing for all of us to see him honestly over his head. I confess I was worried that the whole thing would devolve into saccharine sweetness or else burn itself out but I'm as surprised as any that he seems to return her affections with every bit as much intensity and sensitivity, as she lavishes on him.

There are still things to be worked out, of course, but then you know the Lestranges have never been quite as, well, as particular about those questions as the Blacks. Or the Malfoys. Or you, I daresay. Regardless, I do find her wholly enchanting and you shall see for yourself how impossible it is not to be happy for them when one sees their devotion to each other.

(I had so hoped the same for our Barty and Maebh but - alas, Our Lord found the lady flawed in ways that none of us had yet had occasion to witness. He was right, as it turns out - not that we doubted His perceptions but at the time it was ... hard to bear, for everyone involved.)

Well, you shall have to pine for your 'little brother' at least until the 27th, as that is the next meeting of the Board of Governors. For my part I expect to attend the Slytherin Quidditch matches, whenever they are planned. And I don't think I mentioned but I am at least peripherally involved with the 'Sisters in Witchcraft' programme which does require my presence occasionally, and during those visits I would certainly welcome the chance to stop in and satisfy myself as to the progress of your recovery.

[alt_lucius]

Teacup? I hesitate to ask. Not, I suspect, that either of you would provide a simple and honest answer, when there is an opportunity to share a private jape.

Regarding Dolores. She is certainly a buffoon but nonetheless a not altogether ineffective bureaucrat. Used to be much more tractable, as well. Something changed; she developed her own agenda along the way. And she is not without allies, Toshenka.

Still, it has taken her this long to regroup. Confident you can keep her rising above herself if necessary - if, indeed, it is in her scope of planning. Mislike her sudden insurgence into the direction of the YPL, though thus far, apart from dislodging Aurora, has had no ill effects. Could simply be luck.

You know how wise it is to trust luck.

Narcissa is correct that the 27^th shall be my first opportunity to visit (barring calamity). However, as always, at your disposal should you have any need of me, bratishka.

[alt_antonin]

Think nothing of the teacup, little brother. Your wife is only trying to get me in trouble again, most likely as revenge for some transgression of mine she's been holding on to for years.

I will heed your cautions and keep one eye on charming Dolores the Hufflepuff Heffalump, I truly will. But at least leave me room to be catty about the necessity with Narcissa; it has been a long and dull ten years without my partner in gossip. (Must borrow her from you in brief if I'm ever to return to the Americas -- could only get through meetings with their number two by imagining the steady stream of observations N would have about his beard.)

Fear not, I shall call upon you if I've need -- it would take much longer than a decade for me to have got out of the habit of relying on those who have always stood back to back with me. Suspect I will have little room for an antic disposition once term starts, however -- as is, I may have to give up breathing between Tuesday morning and Thursday eve. (Joking. Truly.)

Will keep you posted as to my progress with the children, by the by. Had a lovely conversation with Selwyn yesterday eve; invited him up to observe one of the battles of wits I plan to offer the children for extra credit, and he seemed quite interested in the idea.

And see, old friend, proof my recovery proceeds with alacrity -- able to stay awake past the end of supper by now. When next you see me, I may even have been able to retire the cane.

Eternally yours,
T

[alt_antonin]

My sunshine, if you wish to land me in hot water with my dear old friend, surely you've better tacks to take than to tell tales out of the tea-room. I thought surely you would reach for a reference to the unfortunate incident of the fireplace instead? Or has that retreated too far into the mists of time by now?

I must confess, my time with Barty was spent more in gentle mutual admiration and in pleasant diversion than in questions of weighty matters of the heart -- not that I think he'd necessarily be averse to the telling (and if he's had as beastly a year as has been implied to me by several, perhaps he's long overdue for the purging of it), but it has been a decade, and I've missed so much. He has ever been the best and the brightest of my flock -- you'll have noticed, of course, the goad I always used to use to spur him to greatness was to urge him to surpass me in the service of Our Lord, and though it became our shared jest so quickly, I never once believed the potential was not there. But it is the best and the brightest who burn the most fiercely, and I do find myself fretting that he seems so

I should leave the matter there (curious, how quickly these journals become a receptacle for that best saved for one's inspection of one's own self). Our Lord's ability to read that which no mere servant of his might suspect is one of His great bounties granted to us, of that I have no doubt, and the tool is honored whenever its master chooses to temper it. But a man does still ache to see his brother's heart so heavy. I wish I could

Bah. Enough of this and I'll be bawling into my cups (celebrating freedom from Healer's restrictions with a glass or two -- do remind Lucius he still owes me for the loss to my stock experienced during the extended arrival of your firstborn, or perhaps you'd best be the one to make good on that debt). I should be delighted to see you whenever and wherever I may, whether that be in the Quidditch stands or the classroom or the merest chance to glance upon your radiance from afar.

Raising that glass to your very great health,
T