London!

[alt_pansy]

We got in yesterday afternoon with a shopping list as long as my arm, and it was really nice to spend the night in my old room. And see Hitty again! She fixed us a really big dinner, so I guess she missed us too.

And this afternoon, I get to go off with Lucius (hooray!) to finish up some of my school shopping, because mum has loads and loads of appointments with wedding people, and my shopping would never get done otherwise.

Comments

I Solemnly Swear I Am Up To No Good

[alt_pansy]

And I'm still waiting on your answer, Granger.

[alt_hydra]

It must be so fun to go shopping in Diagon Alley with Luc Uncle Lucius, and to have gone around London with him earlier this summer, too.
My Daddy and I already went to the shops, but it was on the same day that Harry and Draco went, too, so we were mostly in a big group.

From,
Hydra

[alt_lucius]

Fun for Pansy, I'm sure. Right now for me, it seems to consist of waiting while your Aunt Narcissa's perfumer analyses Miss Parkinson's profile. Or something similar.

I rather think your Aunt would be happy to take you along if ever you wished to go. Between you and me, I think sometimes she misses not having a daughter to pamper. She's devoted to your cousin, of course, but a son is not quite the same thing at all.

[alt_pansy]

It is absolutely brilliant in here! I won't be much longer. I really liked the vanilla. They're testing how different combinations react on my skin, and we have to wait a little for each one, but it is just so nift, I'd never even thought about that sort of thing before.

[alt_hydra]

What's a perfumer profile?

From,
Hydra

[alt_lucius]

I'm sure I've no idea, Hydra. But I've just paid for one.

[alt_narcissa]

Your uncle is teasing you, Hydra dear. He knows perfectly well what he's purchased on Miss Parkinson's behalf.

A perfumer is someone who designs scent. The best perfumers can design individual, custom scents for their clients, attuned to body chemistry, wand length and wood, magic aptitudes, colouring, weight, personal preference and many other factors.

I've been getting mine formulated for me at Ardenia's since I began modelling, or nearly. I plan to take you when you get a little older, too. Of course, until you're fully grown you will have to have it adjusted periodically. And one's combination changes with pregnancy as well, but generally not too drastically.

[alt_pansy]

It was so lovely, Aunt Narcissa.

I mean, I know I've a long way to go yet, but it made me feel so grown up.

Yours has a little rose in it too, doesn't it? It's the first thing I always notice. Even though the rest of it is really different from mine.

[alt_narcissa]

I'm glad you found it valuable, Pansy. Mlle Ambrette is very good. Do you know she learned from her mother, who was Ardenia's perfumer when I was your age? So although she's young, she's been doing this for quite some time.

Yes, there is some rose in the top notes of my scent. It doesn't surprise me that yours is quite different, though. As you grow, your scent will likely become a bit more sophisticated as well.

I do hope your mother appreciates Lucius' gesture for the privilege it is. An account with Madam Ardenia is like holding membership in quite a special club.

[alt_pansy]

Well, if she doesn't, I most certainly do.

[alt_lucius]

... Meaning she is still put out?

I should have thought her too distracted by her own plans to nurse any resentment over yours.

[alt_pansy]

It's fine. Mum is just being mum. She never really did that sort of thing with her mum, so I don't think she got why I wanted to. That's all.

[alt_pansy]

Your dad is awful nice to take you around like that. And Draco and Harry can be fun, but I'll bet they dawdled for ages at the Quidditch shops!

[alt_hydra]

Uncle Rabastan dawdled, too, he knows everyone who works there.

From,
Hydra

[alt_padma]

Did you really get your profile done? That's snitch - I mean, it's massive. Where did you go? What did they tell you?

Parvati and I asked Mum for our profiles once, but she said it changes too often when you're growing and it would be a waste of Galleons to do it before we sit for our OWLs.

What's your scent, then?

[alt_pansy]

Well, Mlle Givaudan said that the vanilla really fit me well, so that's the main bit. And she said florals were more appropriate for someone our age, so there's some lilac and a little bit of rose too. And some musk, but you can't really smell that as much because it's on the bottom. Bottom note? I think that's right. I got to pick out my own bottle too, and the lady at the counter was sweet, she drew a pansy on the label instead of writing my name.

And it's really nift, they started an account for me, and I'll come back every year until I finish growing. And like Aunt Narcissa said, you go in after you get pregnant because sometimes it changes then too. They're going to keep my account open until I die, they do that with everyone, so they have this massive stack of record books.

It's like my own potion. Just utterly brilliant!

[alt_padma]

That's so nift!

What's Madam Ardenia's like? I know it's really, really posh, but I've never been.

I've been over at Lana Sandoval's tonight, though, that was utterly stupe. We saw her photographs and Mr Sandoval took Parvati on a tour of the paintings and all. And Lana served us chocs and real Turkish coffee. It was amazing. They have this tiled room, it's really incredible.

Anyway. Mum said maybe we could get some patchouli and jasmine, but it's nothing like having a whole scent designed just for yourself, is it? Did they give you enough to wear everyday? Or is it only for special occasions?

[alt_pansy]

It's smaller than I thought it'd be, but it's really really beautiful. And understated. And they served an absolutely lovely tea.

And I didn't get too much, because I'll be going back in a year anyways. Mlle Givaudan said that I shouldn't use it too often right away, because then I'd become desensitised, and wouldn't be able to tell when I put too much on. Don't want to overdo it, you know? But if I do run out between now and next year, I can always order more.

Sandoval's does sound nice. I'm surprised she had the time, with all her training and everything.

[alt_padma]

It sounds totally snitch.

And we didn't stay very late, of course. Sandoval's very busy, it's true, and the programme is ever so important. But, well, I guess it's sort of like Mr Malfoy. He's very busy, but he makes time for you, too. And Sandoval makes time for her friends even though she's got loads to be going on with.