alt_padma | Private Message to Blaise Zabini

Well, I spent the day in the shop with Parvati and Mum. Pavs is designing a whole line of lightweight cloaks for spring and they're putting them into production now.

Are you done with whatever it was you said you had to do today? Tomorrow's really almost the last day of hols, so if we're going to go somewhere just the two of us, now's the time to say.

Or are you still cross over Daphs and Draco being splashed about in the papers as the newest It couple?

I mean, we could have done better ourselves if you hadn't spent so long talking to Auror Mulciber. Is it really true his house burned down this week? I can't imagine going through something like that and still looking so cheerful--I mean, he was positively happy. It was a little creepy, honestly. I mean he smiles and it's more like a kappa than a friendly face. Maybe he'd had loads to drink? I guess I'd have been tempted to drink everything in sight if my house had just gone up and everything in it.

Did you have to talk to him so long? I mean, he did say he was sort of your uncle so I figured whatever he had to say to you must have been important. Well, I won't go on about it again, not after your reaction Tuesday night. But if you'd wanted me to come and get you for dancing, you should have signalled or something.

And I suppose I didn't mind too much. It's not every day I get to go to Buckingham, and there were so many people to watch.

Anyway. Tomorrow? The museum or did you want to go somewhere else?

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He said he was my uncle? Look, Padma, you don't want him talking to you. Don't let him get the idea that you'll listen to him or that you're interested in him at all.

He's d

Mother was married to his brother once. A long time ago. That's what he meant.

Never mind. It's not important.

Which museum did you want to go to?

Oh, is he one of the ones that met an untimely end? (I think I've got a clipping from our first or second year about all your mother's past husbands and it made some horrid insinuations, you know. Though on the whole they made her sound fantastically glamourous.)

Anyway, if he's that dangerous, then why did you let him bend your ear for so long? Besides, everyone says he and the other Mr Mulciber are ever so important nowadays. I may not want to talk to him but I also don't want to make him cross, do I.

And you needn't get cross again, either.

It's the British Wizarding History Museum, of course. Daphs was saying there's a new exhibit that's splendid, all about fashion.

Stop shoving Daphs in my face, will you?

Look, it doesn't matter what Mulciber was on about. It was nothing I wanted to hear, I promise you, and yes, he's important now. It makes him think he can do whatever he wants to people. And you don't want to be one of those people.

I don't either.

And if I had my way, Mother would decide she's done with marrying people. She could settle in the country and keep to herself.

Which, of course, she'll never do. She likes society entirely too much. And attracting attention.

I'd rather go to the Protector's Collection instead, if that's all right with you. I hear they've got a new exhibit of ancient magical instruments from Our Lord's private holdings.

So it really is bothering you, isn't it? The way the gossip columns are speculating that Draco will pop the question before we finish school?

No, I know. That's not it at all, is it. What did he want to do to you, then?

Leave it alone, will you? Daphne's not going to marry Draco. And it doesn't matter what daft things the papers say.

I'm sorry you didn't get your picture taken as many times as she did. Being in the gossip papers isn't all you think it is. I mean, look at mother! It just reminds people like the Mulcibers that you're here when it would be better if they'd overlook you.

Seriously. You do not want people keeping albums of your press clippings.

That's what he said. They've got albums of her clippings. And Cooper's.

I said I knew that wasn't really what was setting you off. And I don't care, either, not really.

Auror Mulciber keeps clippings? I mean, isn't that the sort of thing most people grow out of when they're about thirteen?

Why would clippings about Cooper be embarrassing? I mean, isn't he a talented sculptor?

Yes. A talented sculptor who works hard to catch commissions. From lots of bored society witches with husbands who don't pay them enough attention.

Meanwhile, he's not paying Mother as much attention as she expects, which means she's bored. And they go out and have their pictures taken with all sorts of other people and the papers love making a meal of it.

And people like the Mulcibers... let's just say it's a whole other thing when people like that keep clipping files on witches who used to be their sister-in-law.

I don't know what he expected you to do about it. She's your mother, the other way round. You know what I mean.

You're not going to be in trouble with them, are you? Because Mr Rosier or someone else--Professor Dovs, maybe--might be able to help. If you were.

I'm not sure what he expects me to do about it, either. It's not as if Mother cares what I think of her choice of husbands.

Only...

... I'm not sure I'm the one who could be in trouble with them...

I don't know. I really don't. I've no idea what he meant or what he means to do, and that's the unnerving part of it.

I liked it better when Mr Malfoy was the one everyone looked to. Did you notice it? The way things have shifted? I suppose you might not have enough to compare it to, but it's not good that the Mulcibers are so high in Our Lord's esteem now. Not at all good.

Well, you said months ago that Mr M's light was 'fading' only it just didn't seem possible, you know?

But at the Gala...and then especially at Buckingham, Tuesday....yeah. You could just tell something wasn't quite right. I mean, they're still as perfect a couple as could be, and Mrs M is ever so beautiful and graceful and he's always going to be dashing, I just can't imagine him otherwise. But they weren't at the centre like one always expects them to be.

And then when the fireworks went off, did you see how they weren't standing right next to Our Lord? I don't think I've ever seen them not right there. Except when Mr Malfoy was hurt a couple of times. And even then, Mrs M was usually right nearby Our Lord.

Does anyone know why? I mean, they've not gone and had a row with Him or anything daft like that. Surely?

You know, you can tell me things. You don't have to think Daphne was the only person you could ever trust. You know I knew about Seamus for nearly two years before he ever made anything public and I never told a soul, not even Pavs.

So even if it's something bad. It's all right to tell me about it.

I've told you all I know. So far.

If I knew what Mulciber was up to, it wouldn't be so worrying.

And I've no idea about the other--about the Malfoys.

I don't like things changing, I suppose.

I mean about the past. Your past. You don't have to pretend it was all flowers and rainbows.

Anyway, I'm heading to the Protector's Collection now, so I'll meet you outside the cloakroom. It's not half raining today - we picked a horrid day for it! It'll probably be packed.

Private Message to Blaise Zabini

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