Private Message to Narcissa Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Heard your holiday was cut short. Imagine you're disappointed. Trust the seas were smooth and the breezes pleasant up until whatever changed your plans changed them.

Not Ministry business, I trust? We've had some entertainment here today, but nothing that would have pulled L back last night. He didn't sound best pleased when we spoke, so I didn't ask.

If you're looking for diversions this week, I hear the Travellers have got license to show and sell horses on the Heath. Tomorrow through Saturday. Races and exercises in the show ring. Interesting even if you're not in the market to add to your stables. I always find it appealing--the sheer prowess on display. Sleek flanks. The sheen of exertion. The pride of performance. Well, you can imagine.

Planning to coerce Toshenka into going Saturday for the closing show. Do say you'll come with.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

News travels fast, I see.

No, it was a very unexpected but entirely personal family matter. In fact, I have been spending time with my niece. We've been making a girls' day of it - tomorrow as well.

As it turns out, she adores horses. I'll see if she's interested. I was planning to take her back to the Manor for the weekend but it seems Lucius decided to bring Harry and Draco here to Kensington instead of Wiltshire. So we may well stay over, which would make Saturday a distinct possibility.

As for Lucius, he made his own decision to return, despite my urging to complete the scheduled holiday with the boys. I've a feeling he was bored by all the relaxation. I rather enjoyed the opportunity to catch up on my reading. I hadn't heard of any sort of dust-up at the Ministry. Has it been worth the trouble?

Perhaps you'll be good enough to take lunch with me while Hydra's robes are being tailored, and tell me all about the disturbance.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Lunch then, yes. You're playing nanny to your niece? I thought they had staff for that.

The disturbance makes a good story. Short of it: Hopkirk took down Yaxley. To the surprise of most. Needless to say, the pool ran strongly in Yaxley's favour.

Do consider Saturday. Toshenka will be disappointed if you can't make it.

[alt_narcissa]

In Hydra's case, I believe it's a lack of appropriate influence that has led to a rather surprising situation. The short of my tale: Toshenka may well have an uncanny sense of his pupils' hidden depths. Hydra's busy corroborating the praises Tosha has heaped upon Mr Finch-Fletchley. And to my great surprise, they seem to have swayed Rodolphus for the time being.

Believe me, if I can get away at all this week, I shall do. At present, lunch is all I can spare.

You've been ... well, I hope? Otherwise?

[alt_crouch_jr]

Finch-Fletchley is the one brought up in France, isn't he? T does think him promising. Not sure I've had the pleasure, though. Not memorable if I have met him.

We'll make the most of lunch, then. Someplace near Diagon Alley? But that's all either pubs or pasties. Or Vesuvius, which would be close, but too heavy. Is Seven Dials too far? I've heard that Balestra is worth notice.

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, I'm sure you'd remember. He's really quite an affable young man and clearly well-raised. Well, apart from his shocking decision to let Hydra convince him to - but then, boys his age (or any age, really), are rarely the ones to say 'Stop', are they?

(Supposedly Bella played a not-insignificant rôle in encouraging Hydra to gain, shall we say, increased sophistication. Though I'm sure she never intended things to progress quite so quickly, nor that their affections would grow so strong. But Rodolphus has chosen to deal with them in his own way, and specifically to bring it to Bella at his discretion. I do hope he has a plan and hasn't merely capitulated to a daughter he can't refuse!)

We're in Covent Garden for Hydra's robes, so Balestra would do perfectly.

Thank you, dear. For understanding.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Wizards are not trained to say 'Stop', no. Not with that sort of encouragement. Had he not met either Rod or Bella, though? Can't say it speaks to his basic intelligence that he meddled in the first place.

(Not in any way surprised.)

Balestra it is.

Understanding is my middle name.

[alt_narcissa]

Barty?

Has something happened? Lucius just informed me he's been called to Buckingham.

[alt_crouch_jr]

On my way there now. Don't know any more to tell you.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Narcissa. Expect you've seen all the PMs. We're all right.

Heading into meetings now, though. Lucius has just left. Am sure he'll tell you the rest.

[alt_narcissa]

Yes, I saw his posts.

Thank you.

What's - No, you're busy. You're right; he'll tell me.