alt_sinistra | Settling back in

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Settling back in

I must say, it's been a most amazing few days. I've barely had time to catch my breath or sit down for a minute without having something else come along since Thursday afternoon. Not that a great deal of it hasn't been most enjoyable, mind you.

I'm quite looking forward to a few quiet days to settle down, catch up on various pieces of neglected work, and get some quality research time in, just for the change of pace. (And I've certainly got enough to keep me occupied for a bit.)

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Narcissa -

Thank you again for your kindness and welcome last night: I had a truly wonderful time, and so appreciate everything you did to help me feel included and at home.

I hope everything continued to go well after we left, but I must admit, the night in my own bed was quite restorative.

I'm glad you enjoyed yourself.

And no doubt Razzer has already told you never to pay too much mind to our dear Bella. At times I do believe she was born with lemons in her mouth!

You were probably quite right to leave when you did, in fact: 'round about half-past midnight Ari and Froissart got up to another chariot race, which set off another round for the baths as they returned somewhat dishevelled and all-in-all we didn't properly get to bed until about four!

But we've some time to recover, at least, before the next family gathering. We'll see you on Boxing Day?

Raz has been very good about helping me understand all his various friends and relations, yes, and what not to take too personally.

As to Boxing Day - are you sure it wouldn't be seen as an intrusion by others? I'd hate to overstep on private family time, or seem to be assuming too much.

I also gather, from something I overheard last night, that I should thank you for arranging to avoid any awkwardness with the Calderwoods. I do regret that, on any number of levels, and really do appreciate your smoothing the way there.

As well he should.

No, of course it's not an intrusion. That's why the families have a tradition of combining on Boxing Day. We have our private gatherings on Christmas Day itself. I'm sure, coming from a large extended family yourself, you'll be familiar with the ways in which large clans adjust to each other's schedules.

Yes, I wrote to June. Her mother and mine were very close at one point but I confess, I'm disappointed in June's management of the family since dear Mae's passing. You may or may not know that the eldest girl, Letitia, also set her cap for Razzer at one point. She also considered herself Morgana's gift to the modelling business, I don't mind saying, and not entirely deservedly so. But really it's more down to June's spoiling her girls and letting them fly away with the idea that they can have the moon, sun and stars simply by crooking their fingers.

Nonetheless, one must maintain pleasantries. June's very highly-placed, you know. And she's a clever head for business, as well, so the family have gold to spare.

I'm not entirely sure she would have found last night's revelry to her taste, in any event, so it may be just as well.

I quite agree on large clans - our tradition is Christmas Eve. Though this year, I've sent my presents ahead, and may not make it myself: it really has been quite a week. And as much as I'll miss them, I'm not sure I'm up for the whole extended family and lots of questions right now. Raz and I do have plans for tea with my parents this coming week, and such, though.

I did know about Letitia, of course. (Raz has been quite careful about letting me know that kind of thing as well.) And you're quite right about the family connections mattering.

The whole business was quite unsettling, honestly. It's one thing to be disliked for myself, but quite another to have something of this kind happen, I must say. And worrying about whether it might affect other students (well, it has, but if it had been worse, I'd have been beside myself, if you follow.) I do hope she gets help, though I'm sure I don't know what that might look like.

Yes, it is unsettling, to say the least, to realise that one's popularity with one segment may make one a target to another.

And I don't know whether this will help or harm, Aurora, but it gets no easier, no matter how many times it happens.

You can be confident that Razzer has every available protection and from what I have seen (and heard) from him, every intention of extending them to you if need be, for however long it takes.

But you ought to see this sort of thing subside, truly, over time. He's such a raffish reputation, you know, and I don't doubt he's broken quite a few hearts. Barty's the same in his way, though in his case it's more to do with his misanthropic way than his gregariousness. Once people get used to seeing you together, and accept that yours is not one of Razzer's fleeting, whimsical attachments, believe me, life will have its way of distracting them from their jealousy.

There will always be some who wish to impose on what you have, though, so mind if you wish to keep it safe.

But I, for one, could not be more pleased he has finally seemed to settle on a single someone.

You're quite right that as people get used to the idea, some other thing will come along and take their attention. Just a matter of getting through the next few weeks or months, I suppose.

And really, I wouldn't give up Raz for the world, difficulties and all.

You're quite right, too, that he's most willing to offer whatever he can to help. It's really a matter of figuring out what that is, and reminding myself that I don't need to be quite so ~~difficult~~ independent about managing everything on my own.

I am so very glad you're pleased. I know he thinks so highly of your good opinion, and I only hope to live up to his expectations, and those of the people who care for him.

I know it's been a wild broom ride of a week. I do hope that the good bits have not only brought real happiness in their moments but also that they are a foundation from which more lasting satisfactions will grow.

I can only imagine how nerve-wracking last night's party must have been. I trust you were able to enjoy some of it at least.

It truly has, and that's part of what's so exhausting about it. And yes, I do believe a good foundation. I'm more and more glad we took time before being more public, really: I think it's been a great help.

The party - well, I actually quite enjoyed myself, once we settled, though Raz and I avoided some of the more riotous entertainments, mostly. He was quite careful to make sure I was comfortable, too. And Narcissa (and it is odd, calling her that, mind) was very welcoming as well.

I had quite a nice chat about some of my research with his brother, though Auror Lestrange ... well. I'm firmly invited to their extended family Boxing Day celebration, which makes me rather more glad I'd decided to duck my own family tonight. I really do need to catch up on any number of things, and have some time on my own and up the tower, if I'm to manage that with anything like good grace and patience.

I gather you had quite some excitement last night yourself: I hope that your patient will recover well?

Yes, the boy should recover completely. He's had an awful time of it, though, I'm afraid. It was a perfectly terrible hex. And most unfortunate for the school, too. It's going to be dashedly complicating. I've spoken only briefly with Minerva, but I feel certain she's spent considerable time on the matter. And it's going to be difficult on my end, as well. Three fire calls with St Mungo's so far and one with the Minster for Magic's office.

Enough about that! You are having a much more interesting time of it, and I should like to hear more.

I do think it was wise of you to take time to get to know Rabastan before allowing the public to confirm your attachment. Surely there are still many things left to learn about one another, but, one hopes, not too many drastic surprises.

I suppose you know that I worry a bit about this for you. That's not a criticism. Only an honest admission.

As for the Malfoy festivities, I'm rather afraid to guess what the more riotous entertainments might have been. It was a Roman theme, did I hear?

And the Lestranges, well. I've met them, of course, but only under quite trying circumstances. I'm sure he, at least, might be very interesting to converse with. Still and all, I wouldn't choose to trade my quiet Boxing Day for yours.

I do hope all of the diplomatic pieces work out smoothly - my goodness, that many people involved. If I can be any help, do let me know, though I'm sure you and Minerva have things well in hand.

Honestly, Raz really has been very careful to make sure I have information that will help me feel as much at ease as possible - and about everything, really. Quite a good thing, too, as I don't think I could even count the number of his previous attachments we ran into last night. (And one of my own, too, though not one the papers are likely to find out about.)

It was a Roman theme indeed - lots of pillars and hanging curtains and dark nooks, for one thing, and some of the entertainments were quite a bit more adult than I gather they sometimes are. There were a few times I was quite sure I'd not stop blushing. But there was also some wonderful music, and the food was entirely delightful, and of course, we spent rather a lot of time talking to all sorts of people.

On the Lestranges - yes, quite. Rodolphus and I've talked briefly at other events, but this is the first time we'd really talked about my interests, or a bit of his work, which is really rather fascinating. I've nothing like his background of course, but enough Ancient Runes and Arithmancy to appreciate some of the finer points, which I think pleased him.

As for Auror Lestrange, Storm did manage to help with some really excellent toys that I'm hoping will soften her a little toward me on Boxing Day. Or at least distract her, which is, I gather, what one generally hopes for.

At least after that, the social events get a little less fraught - he and I are planning a little time in New London, between tea with my family on the 30th and the Quidditch gala, and I'm very much looking forward to just being with him without other obligations for a bit. (Not that we haven't stolen some time the past few days, as well, but that's not quite the same thing.)

I also... goodness, how the mind skips over the hard things, sometimes.

On the worry - thank you for that.

I worry too, honestly, but I have every hope it will work out somehow. And truly, Raz, in and of himself, couldn't be more careful or considerate or loving with me, whatever his reputation.

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Settling back in

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