Private message to Blaise

[alt_daphne]

Hullo dear,

I've not had a chance to share the news, but Barty's throwing a party at Marlbourough over spring hols, and he's asking me to play the part of hostess. Exciting, don't you think?

Anyway, I wanted to let you know well in advance so you could start planning who to ask along as your plus one. Are you still carrying on with Elsie? I haven't managed to speak with her in weeks. Oh, and I really don't know if I'll have the guest list include anyone else in our sett other than you (my oldest and dearest friend!) Only one has to invite Harry, of course, and I may ask Barty if he'd like Hydra to be invited, seeing as she's his protégé.

I have the most excellent theme in mind, as well! I would tell you more, but I would like for it to be a surprise. Don't worry, I'll make sure that the invitations give a little bit of a hint, so people can have fun speculating, and plan their outfits accordingly.

Say you won't miss it?

Comments

[alt_blaise]

Of course I won't miss.

Perhaps I should ask Hydra? That would cut down on the plus-ones. Do you think she'd like that? Or do you think she'd rather see if Harry comes back around to her? He hasn't seemed very- well, neither of them has, have they?

[alt_daphne]

Oh. Well, I don't think she would object, but I can hardly say whether she'd like it or not. Despite the fact they don't seem close, I don't think she minds Harry's company. Why, do you fancy her? Or do you think it merely a handy convenience?

[alt_blaise]

Well, she's certainly fanciable. And it would be convenient.

I suppose the thought's crossed my mind about Hydra... more than once.

Only, of course, one doesn't want to trespass if Harry's still at all in the picture. He's not, though, is he?

[alt_daphne]

Well no, I don't believe so. I don't know if that necessarily means she's available. She's very committed to her training, after all. But if it's just for the party, she may be amenable? No harm in asking, certainly.

[alt_blaise]

I might do, then. Just for the party.

What about you? This seems rather A Step, doesn't it?

[alt_daphne]

He did describe it as a "statement of sorts," and said it would "put things on a different footing." So. Whatever that means?

But then, Barty Crouch wouldn't ask just anyone to play hostess for him. Perhaps it is A Step.

Or A Test. Ha. But then he knows how much I adore a challenge.

[alt_blaise]

Do you adore him, then?

I mean, are you feeling serious about it? Do you think he has Intentions? Or what do you think he's thinking?

[alt_daphne]

It wouldn't do to predict his thinking.

I do rather adore him, I will admit. Dangerously so, perhaps - in that if it turned out he was not feeling serious, I would be quite thoroughly disappointed.

He hasn't been serious about many, though, has he? It's probably best to be realistic and simply enjoy the present moment.

[alt_blaise]

Well, yes.

But it would be wise to be prepared in case he is serious.

Only, considering the age and experience differences, either he's larking about or he's looking for a wife. (One Our Lord would be more likely to accept than when He objected to Maebh Drumgoole.)

Would you really want to be married? So young, I mean. Of course, I expect we'll all be married sooner or later, and one hopes to want it when the occasion arrives. But is it what you want now? With him? (Setting aside the impulse to be cautious for a moment, just for the sake of thinking through the possibilities.)

[alt_daphne]

Oh Blaise, you know I've never really wanted to be married. Not in the conventional sense, anyway. I want a life and career on the stage, after all.

But he's not a conventional sort of person, really. He's not at all boring, for one (far more interesting than his stoic presence would suggest, in fact). And I suppose that's why I've always objected to marriage - because it always seemed to me like accepting an entirely boring, dull, and unexciting life.

So, I suppose I might say Yes. If I knew what exactly he expected from a wife, and felt enticed by the prospect, rather that stifled.

[alt_blaise]

That's alright, then. I was worried you might be pitching it in on all your dreams, and that would be a terrible shame.

I don't expect he is conventional. Or boring.

Dangerous is never dull.

And if you do agree to marry him, he'll be the luckiest wizard in the Protectorate. He'd best realise that.

[alt_daphne]

He is dangerous, but he's more than that.

But yes.

Oh, pfft. I shan't be counting on his asking, even if you have gone and encouraged me to be prepared!