Draco C. Malfoy

Mother wrote.


My Father will be killed if I don't turn myself in.

Why's he written to my MOTHER?

I'm going to head to their cabin to see if I can hear anything...

Sorry I had to end the firechat first last night. That one elf - Gibby - kept seeing the light from under the door and thinking I needed something. You'd think she would know by now that when I want something I'm not shy about asking. This morning I actually half-entertained the thought that she might've been sent by my Father to interrupt. He's been trying so hard not to mention the earrings or anything else, but I can tell he really wants to. Mother's always there to give him a "look," though.

Anyway, the real thing I wanted to ask you is if you're free tomorrow evening. That bloke who manages Tintagel wrote me a message today. I guess they're playing a private party at the Phoenix Arms tomorrow night, and we've been put on the guest list. We could go to supper, first - anywhere you like. I think the party is a bit casual, though, so we'd probably best not eat at Portico this time.

Father - I want to thank you (and the other governors) for making last night such a brilliant and memorable event. Tintagel was epic and Pansy was thrilled. Everyone's still talking about it and not liable to stop anytime soon. I said my thanks to Mr Tenebridge last night but I've got a little something to send him for Christmas, as well.

Mother - You looked beautiful as always, and were as gracious as ever.

I'm going to miss the Manor this Christmas. It sounds like the party will really be something else, and of course spending time with you both is what I really look forward to. I've not stayed behind for hols since year two, when I threw that tantrum because you made me stay at the castle to keep from catching the plague. Ha, what a brat. Don't worry, I know now that you were only doing it out of concern.

Firechat on Christmas?

Hope the party goes spectacularly.

Love,
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

Hey G. Weasley,

I've heard Daphs say that you're interested in fashion. Quite a few other girls in Slytherin are as well, and I've heard them talking... apparently, there's a contest running in Purest Sparkle for a summer "fashion forward" prize. The entry form is in the latest issue. I don't know if you subscribe, but if my memory is correct, your mate Lovegood does, on account of the Browns buying it for her.

I wanted to beat Daphs to telling you about it, since I reckon I owe you for PMing in your journal. Even if you're still hacked off about that you should enter - the prize includes an appointment with the same salon my Mother visits from time to time. They do top-notch work.

From,
Draco Malfoy

People keep asking in their journals how our holiday is going so I thought I'd best write about it. (No, Blaise, I don't know that chip girl's name, and I don't plan on asking for it.)

This town is a pretty snitch place, and all the cottages (ours, I mean) have views overlooking the water. They're not large, but there's definitely enough room for all of us, and we see each other a whole lot more than we would if we were just pottering about New London. Speaking of New London, it's loads quieter here, very peaceful. Except the people can be fun and boisterous, too. Last night they were all lighting bonfires on the beach and turning the smoke into giant coloured animals. We were watching from the windows until Uncle Razzer said it would be safe to go down and join them. One of the men saw Harry and started turning the smoke in his fire into massive, swooping snakes. It was pretty wicked. The animals turned out to just be a warm-up, too; they used the smoke to tell the whole story of Orpheus, and how he became a seer and star-gazer and used magic to speak with all creatures of the magical world. A collection of harps were charmed to play throughout the whole performance, too. After the show a lot of people left but some lingered behind and told ghost stories around the bonfires. The man who made the smoke snakes told us about the Black Hounds. He said they appear in a flash, out of the mist, and just as fast they vanish. They're supposed to be the manifestation of evil, wicked muggles who still want to bring about misfortune. Some people even say that the Hounds can tear people apart with their claws, and then bury your body where it will never be found again. It might've scared Hydra a little but Harry and I thought it was great. The Razzer said it was a good bit of local colour and that it him reminded him of old stories about the Grim.

We ended up staying up very late, because Hydra had only been there a day and there was lots to talk about. I still can't believe some of the things she told me.

Father and I (and sometimes Harry) have been taking beach walks after breakfast. We've been discussing what's going to happen next year at Hogwarts, mostly--regarding both electives and other matters. It's good. I really thought he might have to go away a lot to do things back in New London, but he hasn't done at all. Mother doesn't seem to want to go out much, though; every time we venture out to explore she finds some reason to stay in. And then Mr Crouch has to keep her company.

Flying along the shore line is amazing. Sometimes if the wind is just right you can feel a bit sea water spray on your face. No one will let us fly out very far over the water, though. If you fly a little ways outside the village there are all sorts of mouldering boat houses and dilapidated cottages where the wizards used to live back when the town was a muggle fishing village. I can't imagine how depressing it would have been to have to hide yourself away on the fringes of some isolated countryside, living in a heap of rubble that's on the verge of collapse. What a dreary life that must be.

Anyway, I think we're having pudding soon so I'd better finish up. Teddy, I've owled off the beach pebbles you've asked for. Four of them.

Well, that settles it.

Mother, I've decided that I only want a few select friends at my Birthday celebration. That should make it easier to plan something really fantastic, shouldn't it?

It's become obvious that if I invite the whole second year that there will be nothing but chaos. Frankly, I'm looking forward to not being surrounded by so many people for once.

Harry will be there, of course, but beyond that I really don't know who I want to invite. I'll have to give it some thought.

Mother and Father, I'm writing here to let you know that I won't be owling your Christmas gifts off in time for Christmas Day.

I'll send them off later, at some point when it's a bit more convenient for me. Possibly this could be months from now. Sorry about that, I'd give more explanation but I have exams to think about right now. Let's just say that something's come up, yeah?

Your son,
Draco

Mother sent me a book that's meant to improve my French before we go away on holiday. French used to be a part of my and Harry's lessons before we went to Hogwarts, but neither of us worked at it very hard and I've since forgotten a lot of it. This book actually speaks French if you hold your wand or your finger to the word, because accent and pronunciation is supposed to be important. And last night I fell asleep reading it, but soon woke up because it was squawking "je me rends!" in my ear, which made everybody else laugh.

And then Blaise told us that his Mother used to go to France a lot before, and that she says that all of the muggles there are naked. Not completely naked, but walking around with a lot of their bits showing, or with only a fan or a shawl to cover them. I said his Mother must be exagerating and then Teddy tried to join in and say that he'd heard the same thing, that the French muggles are all naked and also maniacs for sex. Even though Teddy is Welsh and hasn't been anywhere. If it's true and the muggles are all naked and maniacs, then I think that the French Ministry is doing a shameful job of handling them. I know that France has all the best food and robes and entertainment, but they obviously don't know how to govern.

Even if Blaise is wrong and they wear clothes, it will be odd to be around muggles the way they used to be, just out in the open. I know that Mother and Father will try to keep them away from me but still, it's strange to think that they won't know I'm a wizard and how to treat me with the proper respect. That's why we're leaving Dennis behind, because I don't want him to get confused or upset.