ORDER ONLY: Private Message to Sarah and Draco

[alt_pansy]

(Sarah, I'm not sure if you're still reading for him, I thought I'd include you just in case. I hope you're doing well, given all the madness and upheaval over Christmas. And please do give my best to Mrs Perks, will you?)

How're you getting on, then?

Have you seen Lucius yet?

I asked if I could, but Mr Lupin thought better of it, and he's probably right.

It's such a relief to know he's out of that horrible place. Even if I never get the chance to talk to him again.

There are so many new teachers here, it's sort of mad. I can hardly keep any of them straight, and the Ravenclaws are panicking about their NEWTs (well, we all are to a certain extent, but honestly, there are far more important things to panic about).

Have you ever tried brewing beer before? It's an interesting process. I've had to sweet talk Professor Gimlet into giving me additional hours in the laboratory, but he's used to my messing about with all sorts of random things already for Whizbangs, and it's not the sort of thing that's likely to explode or catch fire, so he didn't put up too much of a fuss.

I think he wants to sample the wares.

Anyways. I do hope you're feeling better.

Comments

[alt_draco]

No, I'm out of stasis now and allowed to read, write, converse, and do magic. Thank Merlin. Sarah gave me my book back yesterday morning.

And yeah, I saw Father last night. I won't say it was horrible, or really even close to horrible, but we didn't leave off with any kind of great, new understanding of one another.

[alt_pansy]

Good. Very good. I can't imagine how stifling that was. I'd have gone

Well. It sounded terribly boring.

Was he changed much?

[alt_draco]

He's lost his streak of optimism, that's for certain. And he's a bit put out that I've apparently ruined his life, and Mother's.

Yet he seemed strangely relieved to see me and speak with me. So, there's that.

[alt_pansy]

Of course he's relieved.

He loves you. And he saw you get hurt, which must have been just utterly terrifying for him.

He knew you weren't really dead, but seeing you face to face

and knowing you helped to bring him out of that awful place

I'd imagine it's a mixed blessing from his perspective, but still.

Do you think Aunt Narcissa will stay out in the open? I can see how it'd be difficult to throw one's lot in with so many unknowns, but she did entrust us with Lucius, and she knows you're in the mix.

[alt_draco]

Yes, he loves me. I believe that. And I love him and mother both.

But that doesn't make him a good parent. Or a good person.

I don't really speculate on my mother's actions any longer, because there's no way of knowing, is there? And it's not as if I can ask. I wouldn't suggest that you try to probe, either. Doesn't seem wise.

[alt_pansy]

You're right.

It doesn't.

I'm sure he thinks he had very good reason for what he's done.

And don't worry. I highly doubt she'd ever go out of her way to confide in me, and I won't make the mistake of assuming we're closer than we really are, or trying to outmanoeuvre her any time soon.