Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Father,

A lot of people have seen the Prophet's evening edition tonight, and so have I.

I wanted to write to Mother straight away, but then I thought I should ask you, first. Tell me the truth: how is she faring?


Your son,
Draco

Comments

[alt_lucius]

She ....

Your mother has been quite a puzzle to-day. I confess it was hardly in me to break the news to her but as you know Mr Crouch was a dear friend and she had to know before it came to her as mere gossip.

She quite surprised me by utterly refusing to hear any of it. Flatly denies that he could be gone.

Fear that it means when the truth does hit her, she shall feel the loss all the more keenly. Not sure what might cause such a realisation but - I would venture to say that she is in quite a fragile state of mind, at present.

Had thought several times of writing to you to-day, Son, entreating you to cheer her in some way. But since she has chosen to put a blank face on the matter - to the length of going about her day with no acknowledgement whatsoever of this tragic event - I am at a loss as so what you or I or anyone could say that would penetrate her veneer of denial.

[alt_draco]

She's denying it? But why?

Is she...does she need to see some special kind of healer? Because that doesn't sound normal.

[alt_lucius]

No, Son, she needs no Healer. She has simply suffered too many losses and too many close calls over the past several months. Her nerves may be a bit - strained - but her response is merely a willful dismissal of facts. She shall have to face the disappointment, sooner or later.

That does not mean we ought not be concerned for her welfare, of course. Only that the truth, when she finally confronts it, will most likely hit her twice as hard as it might have done otherwise. And we must be patient and understanding with her when it does.

[alt_draco]

Poor Mother. I don't know what to do to help. It doesn't sound as if I should write her and say "ever so sorry to hear about Mr Crouch's passing." Right?

I suppose I could just write and ask how she's feeling in general, and tell her an amusing story about the French tea-times.

[alt_lucius]

Yes, you see why I had difficulty setting quill to parchment to give you any advice.

But I think your second tactic the better. Though it would not do to give in to her delusion, either. Nonetheless, she is always gladdened to hear from you, and to read whatever droll anecdotes you wish to impart.

[alt_draco]

Then I will write to her first thing come morning.

Thank you, Father, and do let me know if her state of mind changes in any way.