Daphne Greengrass

Dear Mother, Father, and Grandmother,

I'm sure that Astoria and Queenie have already written to you with the news, so I'll simply confirm that it's true: Our Lord wishes to marry Barty and me tonight, before the whole of the school. As to why here, and why now, I can only say that it may have something to do with Our Lord's sentimental feelings toward Hogwarts, along with the fact that I'm Head Girl and Barty was, in his day, Head Boy. In any case, I'm hardly one to put scrutiny to Our Lord's motives, and can only admit that I'm happy he supports and approves our union.

I do deeply regret, however, that it appears you will be unable to attend, given the impromptu nature of things. I promise that there will be a proper celebration with family and friends later, at Cottesmore. There's nothing I would like more than to have you by my side today, but know that you'll be here in my heart, in spirit, and in all ways that really, truly matter.

Father, Grandmother, I know this may not be the life that you envisioned for me at this age, but I assure you that my path is more meaningful and ambitious than you realise! Someday, I hope the full picture of that becomes clear.

Oh, I'm sorry to keep this so short, but I really must go - I still haven't decided on what to do with my hair! What do you think, up or down?

Always your-
Daphne

I hardly know how to say this.

I've just come from a meeting with the Lord Protector himself. Barty was there, too, and so was the Headmaster, Desai, Glozeman...

He wanted to know the ways in which I was like Rabastan. I said that it was hard to say, as he didn't raise me, but that I was sure many of my talents probably owed themselves to the Lestrange bloodline. Then he asked me what my talents were. I said "All aspects of stage craft, event planning, fostering cooperation and communication amongst others, delegating responsibilities..." things like that, though I don't remember what all I said. It's a bit of a blur now.

Anyway, after that he said: "Let's have this marriage begin in earnest. I'll officiate here, this evening, after supper."

So. It would seem I'm to be married tonight?

Draco and Hermione, this is mostly addressed to you, but I'm writing it to all just in case you aren't available to make the pick-up.

At 7:30pm tonight I'll be having supper with Barty here at Hogwarts, and right at that exact time, my two house elves, Kippy and Beesey, will arrive just outside the Hogsmeade safehouse. They'll have Barty's elf, Winky, with them, and - if all goes as planned - Winky will have the Roman Eagle. If things do not go as planned, Kippy and Beesey will be holding down a very upset and distraught Winky.

When I was thinking of how to possibly breach Barty's careful security in order to get the Roman Eagle, it occurred to me that his house elves would be able to fetch it whenever they liked. And since Barty told his elves to regard me as their Mistress, my hope is that Winky will comply when Kippy and Beesey go to her. They'll tell her that Barty and I are requesting the Roman Eagle for a special operation, then escort her to Hogsmeade. I've told Kippy and Beesey to remain discreet and out of sight of the village.

Draco, once you and Hermione arrive, Winky will figure out that she's been hoodwinked, and she's liable to become overwrought. You'll have to obliviate her memory and ensure that she doesn't pose a security risk. I can't afford to have her raise Barty's suspicions in any way. With any luck, it will be several weeks before he discovers that the Roman Eagle is gone. And when that happens - well, we'll figure that out when the time comes.

Good luck!

Liz, thank you so much for sending along your planning notes - and the photographs! I can't believe how big Rowan is now. Time certainly flies, doesn't it? Though not fast enough for my taste, these days. Now that the relief of gaining the Lord Protector's approval has subsided, I'm thoroughly anxious that he might change his mind on a whim. That's why we're in such a rush, you see, and for no reason other than that. (Though, to answer your question: We'll see. It depends quite a bit on what the Lord Protector wants, of course, but I hope that He lets us have a few years alone as man and wife first before insisting on sprogs.)

Anyway, I've already put in an order with Toothsome. They did such a splendid job at the party that I'm sure they're up to the task. That's the nice thing about marrying a council wizard - you can get anything booked at the last minute. The situation at Dover does make things a challenge, but we'll manage somehow!

Do you think Sam will be up to attending? I'll invite her either way, of course. I should firecall her mother and catch up.

Sorry to make this short, but I'll send a proper owl soon. Give Rich a poke for me!

Take care,
Daphne

Linus,

You'll have to be Head Girl as well as Head Boy this weekend. I'm just about to leave the castle and I won't be back until late Sunday. Don't worry, the Headmaster is already aware of the situation and has already approved my absence. Ask him for more details if you must!

Oh, I really must go.. Best of luck!

-D.G.G.

Sir,

I really must thank you for joining us last evening. I hope you enjoyed good conversation and good company, and that the celebration reflected on Barty in ways that met with your full approval.

And I must thank you again for allowing me to wear your mother's jewelry to the party. It was an honour to be entrusted with something of such personal sentiment, and the lovely necklace was a perfect compliment to my gown. I shall return it to you in pristine condition.

Best,
Daphne

The party at Marlborough is tomorrow night. A good number of MLE and council members will be there, as well as artists, writers, and other, less politically-involved (but still privileged) members of New London society.

It's not an opportunity to do anything drastic, as there will be far too many security measures for that, but there will certainly be a good deal of gossip and information being passed around. Hydra, I know you'll be on watch for anything significant.

Ron, do you think you'll be able to stow-away with either Harry or Hydra, in snake form? And someone could use your cloak, Harry. Is it fully sound-proof in addition to granting the wearer invisibility? Or is there a chance that the Aurors in attendance might pick up on the fact that someone hidden was at the party?

Megan,

How have you been sleeping since our chat? And were you able to incorporate any of the changes to your sleeping schedule that I suggested?

I've been compiling several interpretations of your dreams, and I will say that first and foremost, it is unlikely that there is anything prophetic in nature within them. It's not certain that they contain no prophecy, but again, unlikely. This is because true prophetic dreams leave the dreamer with no doubt that what they just experienced was no message from their inner-psyche, but a message from outside the psyche entirely.

That said, I do believe the dreams are telling you something important about yourself. The fact that M.U. smiles more and more ominously at you represents your own unwillingness to accept the dream's message. This, too, is why the dream keeps plaguing you. It will probably not retreat entirely until you come to understand and internalise its meaning.

As for meaning, I can only speculate, since I'm not you and don't share your experiences. The fact that you have fixated on M.U.'s presence in the dream is interesting, since there are other people who appear in the dream who may be equally important. The person who you see M.U. helping, for example, may be relevant. Also relevant is the fact that in the dream, you are forced to cast the killing curse on Macmillan. While on one level they may represent you fear of hurting your boyfriend, you must also consider the possibility that some unconscious part of you is very angry at him. For what, I can't say.

The figure of focus, though, is indeed M.U. Perhaps you have an unconscious fear that she has shaped your life in ways that will influence your future actions. What you must realise, though, is that influence works in many different directions. A person may be influenced to mimic another's behaviour, but they may also be influenced to do the exact opposite, to act in ways that are counter to that behaviour. Your unconscious may be telling you that soon, you will have to decide how you will allow M.U.'s memory to influence you.

I believe M.U. stands in for the Crone, here. The Crone, too, has multiple sides, both negative and positive. She represents wisdom and guidance, but she's also the smothering mother who captures and binds her children to her will. For some reason your psyche has latched on to M.U. as a mother figure, and it's up to you to decide what lessons to take from her, and how to activate them into the real world.

So, you see, when you say that you fear M.U. is coming back, what that means is that you fear her coming back through you.

Please dismiss any wild rumours you may have heard in the last hour or so.

A training accident occurred when the salle was in use by two council members.

The situation is well in control, and please remember that council wizards and witches are well accustomed to this sort of thing, and well-equipped to manage them without our involvement. I advise you to cease any speculation that you may be tempted to indulge in.

Thank you, and enjoy the rest of your evening.

I had difficulty sleeping last night, but not for want of fatigue and weariness.

Let me just say: yesterday was by far the most memorable and enjoyable Valentine's Day I have ever experienced. And there's no hyperbole in that. Thank you very much for spending it with me, and for the beautiful (intentional!) red roses.

If it's not too soon to ask, do you have a general idea of what your social calendar looks like during my spring hols? I already have friends and family making a bid on my time, but I would like to spend some of it with you in New London, if you are amenable (with the understanding that someone in your position may have to break plans at a moment's notice, of course). My girlfriends Elsie and Lizzie have been trying to convince me to have a party at Spencer House, as well, though in my opinion it wouldn't entirely be in good taste. I'm still in school, after all, and... well, Raz hasn't been gone even a year. I think they simply want to get a good look at the place, which can be accomplished just as easily by inviting them over for tea.

I hope this Sunday has treated you well. See you soon!