Private message to Pansy

[alt_draco]

Sometimes I really don't understand Hydra. Who goes to a ramshackle shop in Camden to appreciate tea, of all things.

I mean, I know what this is really about. At least I think I do. Auntie Bellatrix isn't the warmest mother in the world, and Hydra's latching on to our cousin, instead. Though if she really wants to be mothered she ought to get in touch with mine - she loves to take Hydra shopping and things. I suppose that Hydra might secretly want to hack off Auntie Bella a bit, though, and going 'round to visit cousin Dora is a better way to accomplish that.

It's funny, though, because after listening to Blaise and Daphs talk about their plans to go to the Owlery Room, I was thinking that you and I should really go to one of those posh high teas, too. Not the Owlery Room, but maybe Katyenka, in Russell Square Gardens. Mother loves it, so I'm sure that you would, too. I'd much rather do that tomorrow afternoon, just the two of us.

I'm just really not comfortable with the idea of visiting my cousin with so many other people there. I don't know her well at all, and the very idea of it is just too strange.

Comments

[alt_pansy]

I can see how it'd make for an odd sort of experience for the both of you, especially if you haven't really ever talked much before. Hydra's certainly exchanged her fair share of messages with her, so I think it's a bit less awkward on her end. If you'd rather not go, I understand why. I think Hydra does too.

And I do think you're right, that it's less about mothering and more of showing a bit of spine, you know, making her mum grit her teeth a little. You know Hydra. She can be very quiet and understated about it, but I think she quite likes showing how different she is, even in very small ways.

Not that I blame her.

But there are certainly other ways you can show your support to Hydra, and even to get to know your cousin better (if you want to, that is) without having to go along with a large party.

[alt_pansy]

And the tea room does sound lovely. Let's.

[alt_draco]

How do I know if I want to get to know her better if I barely know her at all?

And you know, Mother's always asking after her, and I can tell she does it more because it's her "duty" than she really wants to. So if I show up at her shop and say "Hey, let's have a tea and a chat, cous," it's just a great big filthy show, isn't it? Cousin dora knows that there's this whole... history with her parents and my parents and the Lestranges, and no one talks about it, but it's just there. She's from the side of the family that "went bad," and I'm not, and we're just supposed to go on as if that isn't a problem.

It's like Harry, you know, pretending like Granger is his friend, and trying to ignore the fact that he owns her. She tries to ignore it too, I think.

Plus, it's in Camden.

Sorry, I know it's really not that much that Hydra's asking. If it was just her and me, and maybe you and Harry, then I might think about it. But not like this.

[alt_draco]

Really?

[alt_pansy]

I can see that, yes.

And you're right, I think that if you went in there and acted like you were just cousins and everything was wonderfully jolly, it would be unfair to the both of you, and it would also be quite unrealistic.

To be fair, though, I don't think that's quite what Hydra was expecting of you, and I don't believe that's how she sees her connection with the Ponds either, even though she's had a bit more of a basis for knowing them than you do.

And I'm not saying it's something you should want to do. Or even something you ought to do out of obligation. Because it is a rather personal sort of decision to make, isn't it? How you feel about something, I mean. Or someone. And what you want to do about it, even if it's to do nothing.

[alt_pansy]

Of course!

Even though this summer has been loads of fun, it's been packed with people. And I rather like just the two of us.

I'm sure there will be other tea appreciation meetings, or things enough like it.

[alt_draco]

Brilliant. Shall we meet by the fountain in the square? Then we can have a walk through the gardens before tea at Katyenka.

[alt_pansy]

I'll see you there.