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[alt_hydra]

Yesterday I went to Mr Yaxley's funeral with Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius, and afterward I went with Aunt Narcissa to the condolence call.

It was odd - people behave as if they're very sorry for the Yaxleys, and they seem genuine when they offer their sentiments, but most of them were thinking about other things. One was even thinking about how he was missing a quidditch match. And then the people who were sorry were thinking about poor Bettina, having this happen after having been a squib for a time, or poor Sarah, is she regretting her Mark now?

It was sort of a mish-mash, and I'm sure I didn't know some of the references. I did hear someone wondering which way the Sandoval-Pennifolds would jump now. And Uncle Luci another wondered what fate the others who conspired with Selwyn would face, and if any others of them were still around, and what their next move would be if so. The person didn't seem to know who the conspirators were for certain, but the names they were thinking about were Corbyn, Pummel, Travers, Ollivander, and Rosier.

I suppose the one sure thing I took away from the day is that everyone is feeling quite uncertain, but they don't show it or talk about it.

Comments

Private message to Justin

[alt_hydra]

I miss you.

Are you alright?

Re: Private message to Justin

[alt_justin]

Hullo,

I miss you, too, ever so much.

I've been recovering, I suppose. I think I'm mostly over my cold but it's been difficult, since my body needs rest but it's jolly hard to sleep. I've found I'm reading loads, what--I say, I'm nearly through all the books in their library (which isn't saying much) and I bally well can't wait until we get our book lists for next year. At this rate I'll have read them all before we set foot on the train.

Mr Jugson said that if all 'goes well' on the CCF trip (presumably he means I don't get into any trouble, what), I shall be allowed a visit, if your Aunt agrees to it. The only other hope is going to get new robes and supplies for school; otherwise, he's quite adamant I'm not to leave the house.

It's funny. I keep thinking about when I was very young, and my mother told me I couldn't go out because I was too ill, what--well, she meant that if I played with other children I might use magic but I really did feel ill most of the time. I never thought of it before but that was rather a prison, as well.

I'm bally well certain the Jugsons don't know how familiar this all is to me. Though that doesn't make it easier, what, it's at least a comfort that it's only a matter of time before I'm free. I say, that's quite a change from any other sentence I've endured!

Anyway, it's worth all the fuss if it means I really can marry you when you finish school.

Has it been frightfully boring to stay with your Aunt? Is she going to allow you to keep on with Tea and flying and all that?

-J

Re: Private message to Justin

[alt_hydra]

I'm glad your cold's got better, but I'm sorry it's hard to sleep. Sally Anne might have some tea to recommend that would help?

When you were younger, do you suppose you felt ill only because you were told you were ill?

And then there's me, going all 'round New London to events and salons and shops, but only ever with Aunt Narcissa at my side. She hasn't been treating me as a prisoner at all, more as a pupil, maybe. It isn't boring, I suppose; I've changed my hair a little and got new robes, that was nice. It is an awful lot of socialising and keeping up appearances, though, and sometimes I think I'm just not nearly so sparkly and dynamic as Aunt Narcissa.

Oh, but I do hope that she'll agree to a visit! I haven't yet asked about Tea and flying. I thought it might be too soon?

Re: Private message to Justin

[alt_justin]

Maggie's been making me a chamomile tea and I rather think she's put some other herbs in. It helps when it's time to go to sleep. It's not very good for keeping me there, what. I'm sure it'll pass.

I say, I haven't asked about visitors coming here but perhaps that's a thought. I rather think it's unlikely but perhaps they'll allow Ron or Pansy to come and they could bring Sally-Anne along. I'm sure they'd bally well refuse if we wanted to hold a Tea Appreciation here, as that rather defeats the purpose of being grounded. But one or two friends might well be a reasonable request.

I've been thinking about when I was little, quite a bit. I think that's just it, Dux: I felt ill because I was told I was poorly. I suppose it was an effective way to suppress me using magic, as well, what, as I never believed myself strong enough to even think about making things happen.

I suppose your Aunt must have been happy to have you along to help, with the Yaxleys and so on. How have you changed your hair? Not cut short or anything, what? I'm sure whatever you've done suits you. At least, when your Aunt's bought things for you before, they've been bally well perfect. Not like the things your mother picks out, what!

I can't see how anyone would think you anything other than stunning, Dux. Your aunt may be glamourous but you're just as lovely and twice as kind and sweet. I'll take that over 'sparkling' any bally old day.

-J

Re: Private message to Justin

[alt_hydra]

My mother told me things about myself, too, and I couldn't help but think they must be true because she's so powerful and very clever. I hope that no one in the Order ever forgets how clever she is - and it isn't just because she's a legilimens.

No my hair is still long, only a little shorter because it was trimmed. And it's more smooth and at the same time more fluffy, which doesn't make sense but that's the only way I can think to describe it. When I was at the condolence call some people noticed that I looked quite grown up and privately wondered if Aunt Narcissa was grooming me for marriage, which I suppose in a way she is.

Anyway, being stunning isn't so important. But thank you for saying that I am.

If Remy were to ask some of the others to visit, they might be allowed to come. But having Remy around makes things rather inconvenient, doesn't it?

Re: Private message to Justin

[alt_justin]

True, but one generally doesn't think of one's own mother as devious or deceptive, what! Or one doesn't like to think of her that way. I say, I wonder how Sirius must have felt when he realised his mother was such a...harridan. Have you and he ever talked about it, love?

But I haven't forgotten how clever your mother is, or how ruthless. I say, have you started thinking how we might get round her? I haven't missed that your father saying we've got to win her over bally well absolves him and puts the decision off on her. I know we've three years to work on it but it's not the sort of thing we can afford to leave to the last minute, what?

Remy does make things inconvenient, though not as much as Alfie. At any rate, I'm leaving for CCF on Monday and it'll be two weeks before we're back. Oh, but dash it, Sally-Anne's not going along to that. I'd forgotten.

Well, I say, I'm sure by the time I return I'll have no troubles sleeping and the fresh air ought to do wonders for the rest.

I can't wait to see you, though. Oh, Jack wants you to know he misses you, too.

-J