I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good - Private Message to Justin

[alt_hydra]

Happy Christmas, Justin.

Thank you so much for the earrings and necklace, they're beautiful. Daddy gave me earrings as well, and so far I can't find anything funny about them. I think they have some kind of rune for calming and concentration, which is a relief after last year's gift. I've also got a load of new books for Arithmancy, and some very smart robes and other things from Aunt Narcissa, but of course I like your gift the very best.

Today has been rather quiet. We opened gifts and had breakfast and then Mummy and Daddy both said they had work to do and Mummy went to her office and Daddy went to his laboratory. Since then I've been watching Rigel plays with all his new toys. Toys have gotten much more snitch since I was a little child, he's got a massive castle with all sorts of soldiers and other little figures than march around and fire spells and such.

Mrs Baylock helped me to try on some of my new robes. They look nice, I suppose, but I don't know. I feel like I still look not quite as old as I ought to, to wear such stylish things.

Now I'm not doing much of anything, just reading some of my new books. I'm looking forward to tomorrow more than today, because I'll get to see the rest of my family and you especially. St. James is too quiet to be comfortable.

I wish Dora and her family were invited to Boxing Day. I don't suppose they ever will be, though.

Love,
Hydra

Comments

[alt_justin]

Happy Christmas, Dux.

I've been looking forward to tomorrow, too, only, I admit I'm a touch nervous, being round your parents the whole day. I say, anything I ought to know, beforehand?

The Jugsons had a jolly Christmas morning, as well, with loads of unwrapping and gifts. Every once in a while I would catch Maggie's eye, across the room, what, and we would exchange a bally well sad and sympathetic look. I think it helped to see someone else who understood that, as hard as they're trying to make me feel at home, it's quite obvious I'm not family. I did manage to slip her her present, right after breakfast, but she's not said anything more about it.

We've just finished supper here. You were right to recommend a non-transfigured basket; Mrs Jugson made sure to include some of the fruit with the pudding. We did have crackers.

I love the muffler you sent, and the thermos ought to come in jolly well handy if we've now got mates on three Quidditch sides, what! I shall use the cologne tomorrow and you can tell me if you approve, love.

As for the other presents, there wasn't much, compared to what Remy and Alfie got, but I'm not at all surprised. Before we came home, I'd asked if we might go to get new shoes (my good pair are getting worn and the others have begun to pinch at the toe). But Mrs Jugson plans to take me, Remy and Alfie all shopping on Thursday, since she says we all need new trousers and if she's going to trouble over my wardrobe, she may as well take care of the two of them at the same time. Still, she did include two new shirts and a rather smart pullover waistcoat. I also got a few books, a funny little set of cards from Alfie and a flask (of all things!) from Remy.

I keep thinking about Ron and his family, and how odd their holiday must feel today. But mostly I miss you, terribly. I hope we can spend some time along together, tomorrow. Do you think it shall be possible?

-J

[alt_hydra]

You've never been to Blackmoor Park, so we might be able to get some time together if I can somehow give you a tour of the main house and grounds, just the two of us. Everyone else has seen it, so hopefully they won't be especially interested.

But when we're in front of my parents it might do to behave as if we're just good friends. Daddy can be quite observant, even when he doesn't appear to be, and Auntie Narcissa has been quite keen to give me advice about boys so she might notice as well.

I'm pleased that it seems you've got some nice gifts this year, even if it's not the same as what you usually receive.

Do you suppose Maggie's still in touch with any of her family? I suppose they might be at the camps, still, or stationed at other pureblood homes. She seemed a bit anxious when we were at the Weasleys. It's just too bad there isn't a way we could have told her that she was in safe company. Though I suppose that we didn't really know that at the time, not for certain. Only I hope that Auntie Camille doesn't bring her to Nanella's tomorrow. Mummy is so awful around muggleborns, acting as if the air tastes and smells bad and such.

And speaking of family, I've been thinking about Ron a lot, too, and the rest of his family. It doesn't seem fair that good men like his Father have to go, while other people... well, yes, it simply doesn't seem fair.

From,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

So long as Professor Siz doesn't think to come along, what! (Or has she been before? Your Aunt Camille's been fussing over that as if it's new, her being along.)

I was afraid you might say that, dash it. Yes, I've been thinking something similar. Though perhaps he's already noticed the present I got you, if he's that observant, what?

Oh, I've no complaints about my presents, at all! I say, sorry to have given the impression. I'm quite content. As a matter of fact, I'm rather certain the Jugsons shall use my own accounts to pay for all the shopping we'll do later. I hope that means I shall bally well be able to make my own selections, at least. Your aunt's style is--well, she's nothing to your aunt Narcissa, what.

I'm sure they don't plan to bring Maggie tomorrow. It's not as if we need assistance with anything. I say, I know what you mean about having her over to the Weasleys'. Perhaps if Ron holds a Quidditch get-together, I might convince Mrs Jugson to let me bring her along again, and there shan't be as many people about whom we don't know we can trust.

Do you think you'd be able to get away, if Ron does host anything? I've offered to ask the Jugsons if he could visit here but--well, I don't think Ron particularly cares for my company. Not compared to Neville or Sally-Anne and Pansy's. Nor should he, naturally, we're not really strong mates or anything. It just seemed the proper thing to make the offer.

I've also been thinking about Hermione and Terry. I say, it was smashing to meet him, finally! But I wish Hermione had been able to come, and Susan. Then we'd have all been together. I hope Harry's given her a proper Christmas, but we've not heard anything from her. Do you suppose she's all right? She was so distraught about Mr Weasley.

Perhaps I've had too much of the rum cake, what! I say, I'm not normally this melancholy on Christmas. If we're ever able to spend a proper holiday together, we shall have a beautiful tree and loads of presents under it, and punch and carols and all our friends, and games and just a jolly time of it. How does that sound?

-J

[alt_justin]

And I meant to say, I'm sure your robes look well fetching. Are you going to wear one of the new ones tomorrow?

-J

[alt_hydra]

I had planned on it!

But oh, I hadn't thought of Professor Siz being there. She wasn't there last time, but she and Raz were only really just going "public" at that point, weren't they? Well, they'll have loads more people to greet and socialise than we do, so we can only hope they'll be too distracted for a look around Blackmoor until later.

If it makes you feel better, I didn't open your gift in front of Daddy, and I haven't worn it in front of him, either. I'm always careful about things like that.

Do you think it's good to bring Maggie along? I mean to say, sometimes I don't know what's the right thing to do, because if she discovers she doesn't have to remember her "place" somewhere like the Weasleys, then what if she forgets later, when she's waiting on Auntie? That would be unfortunate.

I suppose that Ron and Pansy and Sally Anne and Neville have been trusting each other for so long that they might not feel as close to you or me. In any case, I don't think that I can tell anyone that I'm going to Ron Weasley's house, but Mrs Baylock doesn't seem to pay much mind when I say I'm flooing over to see Remy. She's always much too preoccupied with minding Rigel, anyway.

I think what's happened to Mr Weasley has got Hermione thinking about her own parents, maybe. Harry will do everything he can for her, but he probably has to be careful, too.

You do seem a little melancholy, but there's always something a little sad about Christmas being over, isn't there? No matter how old you are. I think your version of a proper holiday sounds perfect, though.

It is getting late, isn't it? I should let you sleep, so - sweet dreams.

Love,
Hydra

[alt_justin]

Yes, quite late.

Sweet dreams, Dux. I'll see you in a few hours.

Love,
-J