(no subject)

[alt_pansy]

Well, I had a long day.

Lucius came to get me, and we went to see Mrs Black for tea. Mr Black was there too. And we were there for about an hour, but it felt like it took a lot longer than that.

I was a little nervous, only because I wanted very much for her to be pleased with me, and I wanted to be sure that I was on my best behaviour. But I guess it went well enough, at least Pirate and Lucius and Aunt Narcissa seem to think so. I told her all about my History Club report, and my favourite parts of the Slytherin book that I've been reading. She asked whether I'd got in any trouble this term, and I told her about my detention, so there was that, but at least it was only one detention, and it was for being late rather than something wrong I said.

After, Lucius took me for a little walk around Diagon before going back home, which was very nice.

Other than that, we're just all sorts of busy getting ready for Christmas around here.

Mr Campbell, mum's friend, has come over every day so far during hols, and stays for hours and hours after we're done with dinner. I don't like him very much at all He and mum were waiting for me when we got back, and they both asked me about every little thing that I said. And they talked about it all during dinner too.

And now I'm in my room, because they are still talking about it, and I didn't want to any more.

Honestly.

It was just tea.

Comments

[alt_ron]

Hey!

That's good it went well with Mrs Black. I couldn't remember when you were going there, but she was pleased with you, then? That's wizard. Now you can just enjoy Christmas, right?

[alt_pansy]

Yeah, that's for sure.

I bought your present yesterday. I think you'll like it. At least I hope you will! You should get it in the post in time for Christmas day.

[alt_ron]

Oh, um. You didn't have to buy me anything, y'know.

I'm sorry I couldn't really get you anything good for Christmas. Just. I dunno. I hope it makes you laugh when you open it.

[alt_pansy]

Well, yes I did!

And a lot of people don't get extra pocket money for presents, or can get out and go shopping. I'm sure I'll love whatever it is! After all, one of the best parts of Christmas is getting parcels and cards and things from friends, and I like that part just as much as what's inside the parcels.

[alt_pansy]

How has Hogwarts been treating you, by the way?

Have you been able to spend time with Harry?

And Hydra is there too. I don't know if you've met her or anything, but you should. She's awfully quiet, but very sweet, and it would be good of you to play a little chess with her, I'm sure she'd like it.

[alt_ron]

It's all right. The food's really brilliant here during the holidays. I think the elves like not having to cook for so many of us at once. Everyone seems a bit jollier. Last night at dinner, I think the Headmistress was telling jokes to Madam Pomfrey and Professor Brutka. Oh, and you should have seen Professor Lockhart, building a gigantic pyramid with all the rolls except all of a sudden it went crashing down and all of them landed in Professor Acton's soup. I don't know what she hexed him with, but his hair stood straight up and you could see smoke coming up out of it! Even Professor Carrow seems to be in a good mood, which I admit is a bit worrying.

And, yeah, I've seen quite a lot of Harry. We've been exploring a bit and went sledding yesterday, which was wizard. It's stormy again today, and it's getting dark already.

I don't really know Hydra. And I didn't know she liked to play chess. I'll see if she'd like a game.

So, yeah, it's good being here with no lessons or homework to take up all the time. But it'll be good when everyone gets back, too.

[alt_sally_anne]

Hydra is very sweet. If she doesn't want to play chess you could ask her to show you her rabbit.

[alt_pansy]

That does sound brilliant, with sledding and Professor Lockhart's hair! I'll bet it took him ages and ages to get it looking proper again.

I know how you mean, about looking forward to things going back to normal. It's nice spending time with mum, but it's weird because Mr Campbell is there too, so I can't just be me, I have to be extra polite and clean and sit up straight all the time, and it's tiring.

And I guess he's okay and everything, at least he's nice to mum and all, but it's just weird. I don't think he's been around younger people at all.

So yeah, I'm looking forward to coming back to school, for sure.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Just so you know Hydra is NOTHING like her mum.

I mean she doesn't even eat meat at dinnertime! though that might just be because she doesn't much care for anything but sweets.

[alt_lucius]

You did well. Tell Mr Campbell that yesterday's visit is none of his business; you acquitted yourself admirably and that is all he need know.

[alt_pansy]

Thank you, Lucius.

And I'll be sure to tell him as much next time he asks.

[alt_regulus]

After you left yesterday, I spent a bit of time in Father's study hunting for the book I mentioned about our adventurous ancestors. I'd got the title wrong, but I found it just where I'd thought. Mother agrees you should have it since you're showing such an interest in history. (She really was pleased with you, you know.)

At any rate, it's called Les Travaux Fameux des Quatre Chevaliers les Plus Illustres de L'Age Obscur and it was written in the fifteenth century by Alcyone Black who claimed to be translating (from Norman French) the memoirs of her great-great-uncle Cygnus. In any case, it's a rather rollicking account (once you get the feel for her dialect and spelling) of the adventures this chap, Cygnus, had with his companions in knight-errantry, Clement Parkinson and Ardevant Rosier. The fourth, as I told you, was Rosier's sister Phillipa (called 'Pip'), who went about in knight's kit and nobody knew it except her mates, who kept her secret. They thought it a huge lark to set her up for duels and single combats with the biggest braggarts they met because she'd always win and then push back her hood to show her long braid just to rub it in. Then they'd get the poor blighter to buy them a round of drinks before obliviating him so he couldn't give her away. (As if any bloke was likely to tell how he'd been put off his horse or brought to his knees by a woman!)

I don't think you'll find any pirates in this one, though it does tell about one adventure they have where they rook a bargeman out of his boat and have a jolly time travelling one of the rivers. Maybe you can remind me how that turns out; it's been ages since I read it.

[alt_regulus]

Meant to say. I sent it off by owl this noon. Don't know whether you were planning to be at home today, but I suspect she'll find you one way or another.

[alt_pansy]

Oh! That's lovely! I cannot wait to read it. Honestly. I've never liked history at all before, but I had so much fun telling people about the pirates, and I think it's just so funny that your ancestor and my ancestor were such good friends. Funny and wizard.

I'm awfully glad you were there, by the way. You and Lucius both. It made it feel much more like just tea and less scary. And thank you for reminding me to tell your mum about my History club report and things.