Twelve

[alt_hydra]

Tomorrow we're to have a birthday luncheon here at Saint James Palace and family and friends of family are invited.
Which I think means that the only people close to my own age will be Harry, Draco, and maybe Pansy, but that's fine because I know them best.
And then after the birthday luncheon I'm to have tea at Buckingham Palace with the Lord Protector.
He wrote me an owl personally, and it didn't say very much but his handwriting was very nice.
It reminded
I really don't know why he would want to sit down to tea with me, maybe it's something he does with some children when they turn twelve?
But because of my appointment with the Lord Protector Mummy's taking me to the shops today for a whole new wardrobe and to have my hair done!
I haven't been to the shops since last year before school started, and that was just for regular school robes and cauldrons and things.
I hope that I can find some shoes with bows on them, I think they'd look ever so fetching, especially if I could find robes with the same kinds of bows.
And I hope we have time to go to Flourish and Blotts or another book shop, because Daddy gave me money to buy the last two Melinda March books.
They came out while we were at school but I didn't have the money for them back then, and we weren't getting packages for a long time anyway.
Melinda March is the heroine and everyone (including herself) thinks she is a half-blood with disgraced parents but really she's a pure-blood, and no one knows because the midwife was vengeful and she changed the records to alter the names of her birth parents.
In the last book, Melinda was being fostered by her actual BIRTH parents, and only the midwife knows the truth and her foster parents don't treat her very kindly, unfortunately.
I can't wait to see if Melinda figured out that she's a pure-blood witch, and what her family will say when they realise she's the daughter they always wanted, even though they've been treating her like she's a speck of dust for all the time she's been with them.
They are really very good books.

Comments

[alt_bellatrix]

I don't know what you're up to in the gardens, but we're leaving in a half-hour, sharp. We'll take care of the shopping first and then have a late lunch in Knightsbridge.

While we eat we should have time to discuss, again, what are (and are not) suitable topics of conversation to carry on with the Lord Protector, as well as going over the finer points of manners and etiquette. It would be unseemly for a girl to drip tea on the Lord's tablecloth, or eat too many of those cakes she likes so much.

And Hydra, there won't be any bows.

[alt_hydra]

I remember what you said about topics of conversation, Mummy.
I shouldn't bore the Lord Protector with chatter about dolls and toys, quidditch, story-books, sweets, animals, games, fashion, or music.
I should talk about grown-up things like the Protectorate, my schoolwork, the Young Protectors League, dueling, spell-books, family, and friends (especially Harry).

From,
Hydra

[alt_bellatrix]

I see that you do.

Perhaps we'll find time to drop into a book shop, after all.

[alt_hydra]

Really, Mummy?
Thank you!

From,
Hydra

[alt_rodolphus]

See there, Duckie? You'll do just fine. And in my experience the Lord Protector doesn't mind a bit of a chat about animals, especially if it's about snakes. He's got that giant snake familiar, you know, and if you ask he might show it to you. It's usually curled up somewhere nearby in the same room as the Lord himself.

[alt_hydra]

NO

Yes, I remember his snake.
I wish you were coming to the shops with us too, Daddy.

From,
Hydra

[alt_rodolphus]

I'd be more hindrance than help, Ducks. What do I know about bows on shoes with robes to match? Or ladies hairstyles?

[alt_hydra]

I don't know I think you might know more than you let on about ladies hairstyles, because your own hair is so long and curled and fancy!
It could very much use a bow or two.

From,
Hydra

[alt_rodolphus]

She's gone silly.

[alt_bellatrix]

Too many sweets, no doubt.

[alt_rodolphus]

Better she eat too many today, and make herself sick of them by tea-time tomorrow.

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, I don't know, Rodolphus. You could always use a lengthening charm and then style it in a bouffant. I think it would be quite fetching.

[alt_rodolphus]

Will I get a photo spread in your column?

[alt_narcissa]

We could do. The Well-Groomed Warlock. It has promise!

[alt_rodolphus]

A rangy sort of bachelor might go over better. You should check with Rabastan.

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, no doubt, but he's rather occupied these days. Besides, I rather like the idea of a piece about keeping the spark alive in a couple - as Lucius and I have done now for fifteen glorious years and you and Bella for - what is it now? Twenty?

[alt_rodolphus]

Twenty come September. Good memory, Mrs Malfoy.

[alt_crouch_jr]

We could call Bobolis. I'm sure he could use you on a cover.

You might almost be his type.

[alt_narcissa]

No, Rodolphus is too rugged for Ganymede - and certainly for his readers!

[alt_rodolphus]

Isn't rugged just the thing with some of those Londinarium readers? Not that I'd ever agree to be on the cover, or anywhere else therein.

[alt_narcissa]

Bella, where are you taking her? It may not be too late for me to arrange a trunk show at Hyperion's. I know I said I didn't care for his spring line but he's got a rather sweet little collection for young ladies going into the autumn season.

[alt_bellatrix]

We were just at Belle Noir - as you know, they've been doing my own robes for years, and though the styles are rather mature, Kosette was able to put together a selection of robes that work well on Hydra's petite frame. I do occasionally wonder how it is that I and Rodolphus have such a waif for a daughter. I presume that it can only be that Jugson blood at work.

Thank you for thinking of us, Cissy, but I'm not sure that "sweet" is quite the thing to aim for, here.

[alt_narcissa]

Dear sister, you know I've nothing but respect for Kosette, but really I am not sure that her clothes will not overshadow the subject in Hydra's case. She's got a delicate frame, it's true, and that's precisely why Kosette's designs are too ... heavy for her. Oh, I wish you'd let me take a hand in, it's not as if I don't know how to dress a lithe little figure. After all, you do want Our Lord to see her, yes, and not only what she's wearing?

At least promise me you've done nothing to her hair, except perhaps a few rollers just for bounce. And don't for Merlin's sake give her kohl yet!

[alt_bellatrix]

I want the Lord to see potential and promise, and nothing less.

Though, since it's been plaguing me all day, I will admit that Kosette's robes don't quite create the image that I had imagined. Not on Hydra. Something isn't...fitting quite right.

If you've a different ensemble in mind, bring it tomorrow morning. We'll come up with something yet.

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, never fear, Bella. I'm sure we can create the impression you want without sacrificing Hydra's best features.

[alt_draco]

I've never heard of the Lord having children over for tea on their birthday. I've taken tea with him before a few times, of course, but there were always other people there, like my parents, or your parents, and Harry was always there, too.

You're really having tea with him all by yourself, then? Maybe it's a special present he's thought up for you on account of your mother hunting down Sirius Black. You're awfully lucky though I guess, because who else can say they've had a private tea with the Lord Protector, aside from Harry?

[alt_hydra]

I don't know if it's a present for Mummy's sake but it might be, I suppose.
Mummy and Daddy say I'm lucky, too.

From,
Hydra

[alt_sally_anne]

That's very exciting, Hydra. And the book series sounds really good, I think I may have borrowed the second in that series from someone but I haven't read the others.

[alt_hydra]

Yes, it is, isn't it.
If I get the newer books today then you can borrow them from me when we're back at school, if you'd like.

From,
Hydra

[alt_sally_anne]

Thank you! That would be lovely.

And happy birthday! I sent you something, I hope you like it.

[alt_hydra]

Oh did you really?
Thank you that was very kind, I'm sure to love it.
And I'm glad you've not had your journal taken away again since that time before, in June.

From,
Hydra

Order Only

[alt_bill]

So Voldemort's sitting down to tea with a twelve-year old girl?!

That is extraordinarily interesting. I'll wager his interest has been piqued in the girl due to the events in the Chamber of Secrets last month.

Poor kid.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

I think you might suggest to your analysts that they would do well to begin keeping a file on her.

Re: Order Only

[alt_bill]

Good point, Dad.

[alt_narcissa]

I'm sure you'll look lovely, Hydra, and yes, you're very lucky to be asked to tea by yourself.

(There may be some bows in your future, despite your mother's prediction, and not just the ones on your birthday parcels.)

I'm glad you like the Melinda March books. Mrs Baddock was asking about them since she is looking for things for her eldest daughter Lucy to read. Now I shall have a recommendation for her when next we speak.

I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, dear.

[alt_hydra]

I only hope that it all goes well and that I can remember proper etiquette and make good conversation.
I also like The Bramblewick Orphans series, which is about twin sisters and their little brother, and it takes place in an England where muggles are in control and they take magic children away from their parents so that they can raise them to do magic that only helps muggle folk.
Maybe you could tell Mrs Baddock about those books, too.
I'm looking forward to seeing you as well, and everyone else too, of course!

From,
Hydra

[alt_narcissa]

I'll remember the recommendation.

You'll be fine. I'm sure Our Lord will expect a few nervous moments when you meet Him; after all, He is most impressive, even in the least formal of settings like a simple tea.

I hope you enjoy your outing with your mother. I wish she'd tell me when she's planning clothes-shopping! Buying clothes for Draco is all very well, but it's nowhere near as fun as shopping for young witches!

[alt_pansy]

I hope you like my present!

And that's really quite an honour, to sit down to tea with Our Lord like that. It's funny, I mean, I know he's Harry's dad, and he's a person and all, but I never really thought about the Lord Protector doing something like taking tea before. But I suppose he does all those normal everyday sort of things just like the rest of us.

And if you don't find shoes with bows, we can always make some bows and stick them on once we're back at school. Don't worry, it's a nift charm so you can remove stuff really easily if you wanted, without ruining your shoes. I learnt that charm this last year so I could stick feathers and things to my headbands. I do think bows can look awfully sharp, especially when they're in contrasting colours.