Daffs

[alt_blaise]

This isn't a proper thank you, but Mother's got all our owls out picking up parcels from all over today. I can't complain, as some of it's for me, for school.

Wanted to say, though: that was one dire party you gave last night! Best one yet.

Supper was fantastic, of course. Goes without saying, really, at yours. But the games were nift and your father was so clever with the prizes. Really generous, too. And it was sorcerous that they let us alone out on the terrace with the music.

Everyone had a brilliant time. Well, you heard what Stevens and Fletcher said about the entertainments, but you probably didn't hear Vaisey tell me he thought it was up there with the best parties of the season. And he meant grown up gatherings, too.

Teddy and Greg doing party tricks? A bit dodgy, but hilarious. Moon and I were in stitches over the one with the dancing beetles. And I've never seen Dunstan laugh so much!

(And, Moon: it was great you could come, mate. You'll have to show me that gobstone blaster you were talking about. That ought to totally change the game!)

I'll send a proper thank you as soon as I can--to your parents, at least. And you, I'll see on the train. Save me a seat if you get there first. Or I will for you if I'm ahead of you.

Comments

[alt_daphne]

I think the time away from school must have done a world of good, everyone was in such good spirits, don't you agree? Only it's a shame that Harry and Draco and Hydra weren't available, but it really can't be helped.

I told Astoria and Queenie that they could drop in for a little while if they behaved, but when they saw Vaisey and Croaker and the rest of the fourth years who came, they were too shy and decided to play in their rooms with Miss Jessup, instead. I was up very late last night telling them about everything that happened, for they insisted on it. I tried to reenact the dancing beetles but failed miserably - not that they knew any better!

Did Vaisey really say that? How terribly sweet of him, for I know that he made quite the social rounds over hols. I think Samantha paid him special attention throughout the evening, too - did you see her pull him aside on the terrace?

Well, I need to make one more trip to the shops for school things and then get it all ready for the elves to pack. Oh! And you'll be pleased to know that I managed to hoard away some of those lovely french macaroons that were served at the party. I'm saving them for us to share on the trip up.

Private Message to Daphne Greengrass

[alt_blaise]

It was a shame about Harry's having to stay at the castle. And Draco and Hydra feeling they ought to stay with him. Not that they were wrong to do it, but it's just too bad they had to miss out. Let's plan something for Easter hols to do with them. Maybe a really tight group. I dunno, I was saying to Draco that it just seems the more people you invite, the more those people expect you'll include others, too. It just gets unmanageable.

Ha! I'm sure you were much more graceful than the dancing beetles ever thought of being! No wonder you couldn't show what that looked like!!

You're right about Vaisey and Montgomery. I thought he fancied Stevens, but I guess that's done with. Maybe that's why she couldn't come?

Did you see Gamp trying to dance with Fletcher? And to think Mrs Wilby used to make us all try to model ourselves after him because his form was so elegant! He must have grown half a foot last term, so I expect that explains it. Still and all, it was really embarrassing!

Those macaroons were fabulous. Mother's sending some bottles of elderberry squash, and she's got the elves packing a hamper for us with all their best take away things.

So, I'll see you!

Re: Private Message to Daphne Greengrass

[alt_daphne]

Well you know I'm fine with a really tight group. Remember how generous I was at my birthday, inviting everyone to a party in the common room? Then some person stole the last slice of cake I was saving for Queenie, and that was even someone from Slytherin! It just feels more special when social groups are more select and intimate, doesn't it?

It's edifying to know that I remain more graceful than a dancing beetle, though in my lesson with Mr Krumgold he said that I need to work more on my flexibility. On the bright side, Mrs Gibbons thinks that my intonation is getting much better. All my practising paid off!

Elizabeth's letter mentioned that she was visiting relatives in Cardiff (ew, Wales, poor thing), but she might well have wanted to dodge Vaisey. I'll have to see if I can get more of that story out of her when school starts...

It's not just that Gamp's grown taller, his feet are truly massive! It's like he's got oars for shoes, so no wonder he trips all over himself.

Ooh, elderberry squash is so very exquisite, I'm getting thirsty just thinking about it! Give your Mother my thanks for her thoughtfulness.

[alt_draco]

Daffs had a party, did she? Wish I could have been there, but like the girl herself says, it can't be helped. Sounds like it was smashing, though.

We've been brushing up on our duelling like mad, though. Wait til you see the demonstration at the next club meeting... only make sure you stand well back, yeah? Behind Weasley or something.

Good to know everything with Teddy's been straightened out, too. Knew we'd get through to him eventually.

Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_blaise]

Shame you and Harry couldn't have come. It's been an odd hols all around, though, what with Harry missing your parents' party and all. Especially since your father invited us to see what the men get up to when they retire to his study. Felt like we're finally old enough to do some of the interesting things.

Mother let me call Mr Blackmun, so I've had a few formal duelling lessons myself. Helped the time pass between gatherings. Sometimes the days get long during hols, especially when the weather's naff. I can't wait to see what Professor Lestrange has taught you. I bet Weasley'll wet himself when you demonstrate. Maybe they'll let you use it on him?

And, you're right, Teddy's back to being just Teddy. It will surprise you to hear that he's spent all his time working out advance Dark Arts stuff from some book his father gave him for Christmas. Greg, too. His mother got him a tutor, since Miss Professor Carrow sent home a note saying he shows real promise. He said his parents were right chuffed about it.

Maybe we can do something really sorcerous over Easter hols. Just a few of us, you know. When you and Harry can take part. Daffs, Pansy--if she'd fall in a bit more, us and Teddy. Vince and Greg. Daffs would want Milli, probably.

She invited Moon, Macdougal and Dunstan yesterday. They were nice enough, and I think they knew they were lucky she'd thought to include them. I'd say we could include Patil sometime, except then she'd want to drag along Finnigan. Or Thomas. Who knows. She's worse than Pansy in her own way, always wanting to string along people she can lord it over.

In the end it's easier to stick with a tight group and not get dragged down by all the loose ends. Don't you think?

Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy

[alt_draco]

I'm pretty sure Harry would have gone spare if Raz and Hydra hadn't been at the castle to keep him company. Can't say I blame him, but he knows that his Father's only putting his safety first, and his studies too, of course.

Teddy and Greg are both imminently talented...runs in their families, no doubt. That Nott eccentricity and lack of couth still rears its head from time to time, unfortunately. Teddy wants to do great things, though, and sometimes he just needs a reminder that to do those great things, he can't go around disturbing everyone.

Easter hols sounds brill. We can keep the group small, if that's the majority preference. It might be better for Harry, really, since some people act like such pillocks around him, trying to show off or brown nose. Big gatherings are good to have once and a while though...how else will you get people to do favours for you, if they don't think they have a chance of ever being your mate?

That's the thing with Patil, right? She's clever and popular, a good person to know for that, so she's worth chumming around with now and again. Finnigan's making all the right moves, but it's so painfully obvious that all the instruction is coming from Mr Rosier and Padma and now Hooper, too...he ought to try to stand out on his own a bit more, though it's probably hard to know how to best go about that when you're a halfblood.

Pansy's come around a lot, but she still has that weird attraction for misfits. I don't know, it's probably down to some fault of her Mother's, honestly. But now that she's come into money I bet she'll find that Weasley and his ilk aren't really the ticket. She's going to be dealing with a whole new world pretty soon, and it doesn't involve rolling around in the mud and retiring to some filthy hovel for hot cider.