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Athena.

Pennifold tells me you owled this morning after I'd left the office. I apologise for answering here, but I haven't an owl with me. I'm afraid I can't accept your offer for tonight as I've promised to spar with Travers. I suspect that an Auror's training regimen is much like a singer's voice work: miss even an hour here and there, and one falls quickly out of peak form. In any case, I can't afford to skive off tonight even for so pleasant an invitation.

Were you serious when you said you love Quidditch? I admit that took me by surprise, but if you were in earnest, I wonder if you might like to come along Tuesday evening to see Puddlemere play Appleby. Travers, Forney and I are going and we've got an extra seat in the box. Do say yes!

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From:

alt_narcissa

I'm so glad you convinced your mother to come today, Barty. It was good to see her, though I must say she looks as if she could use some country air. I offered to arrange a day at Madam Ardenia's. It's essential for a witch every so often to pamper herself.

I see that my introduction was a sound choice! I do hope it works out for you both; it's ever so much easier to balance the table at supper parties or for whist, when inviting in groups of two.

Speaking of couples, did your mother tell you that Leto Pucey is expecting? It's been ages since I saw her - already 20 weeks along. It's a pity I couldn't lunch with her tomorrow to catch up, but as Lucius will be leaving I'd planned to see him at the St James' house before he leaves. Well, perhaps sometime after Draco goes to London for the YPL programme, I can carve out a niche to hear all about it.

From:

alt_crouch_jr

Is Draco finding things to keep him busy at home? I'm sure he's looking forward to the trip to New London, if for no other reason than that it will give him time with his friends. I remember summers as being lonely and boring, though there were some memorable visits with Regulus now and then to keep the time from grinding to a complete halt.

Have I told you we used to meet up at the bathing pond on Hampstead Heath--late evenings after all the Muggles had cleared out? As far as I know, his parents never caught on. Mine certainly didn't. (Until now, of course. Hello, Mother.)

Speaking of Mother, I haven't had a chance to speak with her yet, but I'm not surprised to hear she turned down your offer for the spa; she'll scarcely agree to keep necessary appointments with her Healer, you know. And I'm sure she'll say that it's no real measure of Madam Ardenia's skill that you looked so lovely today since you require no sorcery or improvement. Mother's rather stubbornly opposed to indulging herself, which might be a virtue if she didn't take it to such perverse extremes.

In any case, I'm glad the luncheon went off smoothly. You must have turned directly from that to the details of Lucius's departure. It's a shame his trip has to be so brief: it sounds as if he'll scarcely have time to kiss his sister on the cheek and congratulate the groom before returning home.

Travers will have my skin if I'm late for sparring, so I won't drop Lucius a separate note. Do give him my best wishes for his travels.

From:

alt_narcissa

Oh, a little more than that. The important part, of course, is that he'll be able to see her down the aisle. But he'll be there to deliver the toast as well and I'm sure he'll be able to dance with the bride at least once before he returns. But you're quite right. He'll be gone scarcely 22 hours, all told.

Draco is as disappointed as I that we're not able to accompany him. I believe my son has grown quite close to his aunt, for all that our visit last year was their first meeting. But he has more than enough to occupy his time, including his newfound interest in guitar. And his art and language lessons continue, of course. Although, I'm sure if you ever find yourself in need of a fourth in your Quidditch box, at summers at least, Draco would be more than happy to fill the seat for you.

As for your late-night forays, I'm surprised you ever found the place empty of Muggles, be they vagrants or trysting lovers. That's one of the blessings of our Protectorate: The streets and parks are cleaner in more ways than one. But then, I'm sure you had your own way of addressing any filth that might have been littering the place when you arrived. (We are lucky that there is a perfectly adequate - and private - spot near the Manor grounds. Though for my part I prefer the gardens' shade.) I may as well confess that Andromeda went through a period when she cared to drag me along with her to the clubs round Berwick Street - you know them, I'm sure: The Copper Knut, the Zodiac and of course, Redcap and Gnome. (And now it's Bella's turn to wag her wand at me!)

But I see I shall have to be more persuasive to your mother when it comes to the benefits of a qualified aesthetist. I cannot credit Ardenia and my monthly spa day enough for ensuring that I'm a fit sight. Anyone who ever said beauty is effortless has never tried very hard! Though in your mother's case, I hope she doesn't neglect her Healers entirely. She'll need her strength, particularly if Aleta Featherstone has, as I suspect, convinced her to resume a committee appointment. (I did see them with their heads together for more than a few minutes this afternoon.)

From:

alt_crouch_jr

I'll keep Draco in mind next time we need someone to make up our number in the box. Perhaps he and Lucius would like to have my ticket and the spare some evening. I'll have Pennifold speak with Crispin about it.

Berwick Street was it? Am I meant to find that shocking? I think you must have had more cause than I to clear filth from your path in that neighbourhood. I can imagine what Bellatrix has to say on the subject, however.

Well, perhaps you'll persuade Mother in the end. You can be persuasive when you try.

From:

alt_narcissa

Only when I try? I must be slipping.

But the tickets are a good suggestion and a very kind offer. It does seem odd that Lucius never bothered to obtain season tickets - but then, he never really supported any particular team, either. (He used to delight in taking the part of whichever team Father did not favour, just to raise poor Father's blood.)

I'm quite sure it would take more than the mention of Berwick Street to shock you, Barty. You're quite right, though: It was a terribly seedy part of town back then. Part of the fun was the 'slumming' aspect, I admit, though perhaps looking back, Andi had her own reasons for wanting to go.