Private Message to Raz and Auri

[alt_antonin]

My darlings, allow me to say that marriage agrees with you. The aura of happiness and contentment surrounding you is palpable, and a delight to observe.

I imagine you both have plans for at least the first few days after term, as well you should, but once you have taken time for your delayed honeymoon, I would delight in the chance to have you for supper to celebrate the end of a successful school year and to commemorate the trials it took to get us here. I shall bow to your schedules, and to your desires in the question of company, but you've only to say the word and my doors will always be open to you.

Here's to finishing out this year, slightly more battered than we were when we began it, but unbowed. And I must thank you both again for all the assistance you have given me as I have learned to navigate the trials and tribulations of a Hogwarts teaching position. It has been, on the whole, a satisfying role, despite containing rather more machinations than one might expect.

Comments

Private Message to Raz

[alt_antonin]

And, following along on the same line: once we've a few hours of uninterrupted time, there are a few things I would like to follow-up with you on in regards to a question Harry brought me yesterday.

Without meaning to denigrate Auri in the slightest, I believe it the sort of thing best handled between us two, and best handled where and when we are certain we will not be interrupted.

Re: Private Message to Raz

[alt_rabastan]

I can guess what it might be about. You know where to find me.

There's something I'd like to ask you, too. About Rory. I had thought I'd talk to Lucius, but he doesn't know her nearly so well as you do.

Re: Private Message to Raz

[alt_antonin]

I am, as always, at your service.

[alt_sinistra]

I am indeed very happy, Tosha. I’m glad it shows. As to the year - it feels so very unfinished to me. Maybe that’s just it being the first time I didn’t have really concrete summer plans since I left school. (Though, Raz, love, I swear I am glad to be rid of the YPL and the fact I had less than fifteen days without some external obligation between June and the end of August.)

My mail would like to convince me this week that the only things that matter are social invitations (from people who utterly ignored me two years ago), notes whose sense of certain realities is nearly as lacking as their sense of tact (a half-dozen variations on “Are you pregnant yet?”), and various other oddities. Plus the “Newly Married Witch” packet from Wizarding Repopulation which will at least be amusing to mock (and for rather a long time, based on its size.)

So, on that point, Tosha, I much appreciate having an invitation from you in a different and vastly more enjoyable category. And I should say, myself, that this year has been absurdly better for having you in it. I know I’ve said before, but I cannot imagine I'd have managed February and March and April but for your help.

I actually meant to write you today, though, because I realised something last night. First, just as the Sorting is different from our side of the table, so is the Leaving Feast. (Though I think it gets more so, as one’s been here longer, and remembers the august and aged 7th years as firsties.) A certain amount of “Do you remember when?” is traditional, in other words, and the sharing of amusing stories from the year.

Anyway, I had the thought that this year’s might be more touchy than usual, given all the lasting wounds from Madam Pinkness. I thought perhaps the three of us might do something to help ease that, a little. Though I’m incoherent about how, other than having a stock of happier stories ready, and a willingness to encourage them in others. Just the two of you being your usual charming selves might well do.

(And on a more pragmatic note: I have near finished my packing, and have laid hands on half a dozen titles you’d mentioned being intrigued by, Tosha. Plus two others for amusement. Do you want me to ask your Berry to come collect them, or do you want some distraction this evening?)

[alt_antonin]

If the titles for amusement are the next American Witches books, I'll stop by myself. A chance for some intellectual candy would suit.

And yes, I catch your meaning on the mood of the room. I'll see what I can do, dear heart.

[alt_sinistra]

One of the American Witches, and one of those dreadful historicals Temp's got me on. (This one is Merovingians. With all the scope for oddity that the Merovingian period allows for, and then some. And then some more.)

You're welcome to come up, but I'm just as glad to bring them down and save you the trip.

[alt_antonin]

Oh, that should be delightfully distracting. I could use some distraction

I'll come up, I suppose, since I can. I should likely also dismantle some of the more enthusiastic protections on your quarters so they don't bite someone over the holiday.

[alt_sinistra]

At your disposal, Toshenka, then. And I suppose you're right there.

As to the distraction, you are welcome to browse the rest of my collection of such things. I'm sure there's more than one you've not read yourself, even if they're not quite the collection of absurdities I mention above.