XI.

[alt_lana]

The gala was lovely, truly lovely: Orion and his crew helped with decorating the entries and reception halls and the ballrooms of the Tate, and they made a simply marvellous job of it. I've no idea where Johns and Kirke found so many fairies to light the steps and the walk from the waterside, but the view from our boat as we approached on the river was utterly breathtaking. And the way they massed to flank the Lord Protector when he arrived so that he appeared to be infused with fairy light as he made his entry? That was a stroke of genius.

The New London Philharmonic were in top form, and I've never heard them have a fuller sound than in the Tate's new hall. I have to agree with Mr Rosier's opinion that Melliflua Pym, the architect for the remodeling, is a true sorceress of the acoustic arts. I enjoyed strolling the galleries and antechambers where they'd situated small ensembles to complement the works on display. My favourites were Los Lobos D'Oro in the Travellers exhibit and the Wilton Consort who were tucked in amongst the sixteenth-century portraits, but then I've had a special fondness for that group ever since Mama hired them for our Midsummer's celebration the year I was thirteen.

I regret that I missed most of Celestina Warbeck's set, but that couldn't be helped. (Honestly, Higgs, if I'd known you would be such an infant about the fact that I was needed to assist Mrs Lestrange throughout the evening, I would never have allowed you to escort me. I've never seen anyone mope so conspicuously. I'd have thought you'd have cleared your cauldron telling me off over lunch today, but what you've written in your journal is unforgivable. Consider this my last word to you on this or any subject.)

I'm very pleased that I could be of use to the Aurors last evening. It was an honour to conduct those with whom the chief interrogator wished to confer. I was deeply impressed at the professionalism of all involved: they maintained order and decorum to such a degree that I believe few people were aware of the departures. The festive spirit of the evening never flagged, and I know Mama has every hope that when the final figures are tallied, they will have raised a substantial sum to further St Mungo's crucial work in Our Lord's realm.

Comments

[alt_padma]

It was utterly marvellous. I'm sorry we had to leave so early. But Parvati wasn't feeling well after her third helping of pudding. And I wasn't feeling too well myself, either, I think I had too much punch.

I could sort of tell you had a lot on your plate last night, I mean the way you seemed rather distracted. I thought Theo Higgs was being sort of, well, understanding about the whole thing. We sort of... well, we talked a bit when you left him flat in front of the punch bowl. And he seemed really nice about it all. But after reading his journal today I can't blame you one little bit for telling him off! He's completely impossible!! I can't believe he called you a prim little shrew! It's ridiculous! And I told him so.

And then Mum saw him giving me punch and she got all upset. It was dead embarrassing. I was fine! Only I should have known he was such a prat, really, from the way he was going on to Mum about being left to 'look after' me. Honestly, I never asked him to look after me and neither did you! He was talking to me, asking me all sorts of questions about you! I should have guessed he was going to turn round and insult you. It makes me so cross!

But anyway, it was a beautiful party, and it was so amazing. Even if I was ill all day today. Between this and Draco's party, this has been the niftest holiday ever!

[alt_lana]

Higgs is ridiculous. A petty, self-obsessed, rotten-tempered boy.

Mama said she was very concerned for you, Patil, having to leave so early and under such a cloud. I hope your mother wasn't terribly cross with you.

Are you feeling better today?

[alt_padma]

Oh, and you looked beautiful, by the way. Absolutely gorgeous. Definitely the right robes!

[alt_lana]

Thank you. I do believe we made the right choice.

I don't know whether your mother will have told you: Mama and I have an appointment with her this afternoon to discuss something very exciting. Papa has decided my coming out party should be set for Easter hols; he's hasn't decided where it should happen, but during the gala the Marquess of Salisbury offered to host the gathering at Hatfield house, and I believe Papa is leaning towards accepting. It's awfully generous of Lord Salisbury, don't you think?

[alt_padma]

Really? That's wiz-nift!

Did Mum show you the cloak she designed for Miranda Ogleby's portrait a few years ago? It's spectacular. It was bright blue with embroidered suns on, and the suns changed colours and even made her robes look like they had real sunlight shining on them.

Last year Mum did a set of hat and shoes for Maurya Harris. You know, Lady Bathurst?

I'm feeling much better, thanks. The headache's gone. Now I'm just a little worried that I made a cake of myself, but Mum says not to fret. She said something like everyone does something daft at their first grown-up party.

[alt_lana]

She did show us the Ogleby cloak, and she said she'd designed the cloak Mrs Malfoy wore to the gala, too. Did you see it? It's got all the stars visible in the night sky on whatever night it's worn; she did it in silver thread on silk velvet, and, oh, I don't believe I've ever seen anything quite so lovely. Mama remarked that Mr Malfoy must have really wanted to make a statement this Christmas, but your mother told us that it was her cousin, Mr Black, who commissioned it for her. I think that's a bit shocking, really. It was obviously a very costly gift.

Oh, and did you see what Lady Bathurst wore last evening? She cuts such a striking figure, and the way the neckline of her robes set off her sapphires!

It is one of the exciting things about a party like that, seeing what all the very best dressed people wear.

[alt_padma]

Yes, I saw them when they arrived in the Lord Protector's barge. That was genius.

Did you notice the cloak clasps on both the Malfoys' robes? I think I read in Mr Malfoy's journal that Draco made them. Mum was really impressed.

Mrs Malfoy looked really beautiful at Draco's party, too. I mean, their holiday party. Mum says red's a tricky colour, but I thought it really made her jewels look twice as sparkly. And her hair! I wish my hair were blonde. Not that I mind black, but, well, hers just looks so radiant.

I thought Mrs Scrimgeour looked pretty good, for someone her age. But I only recognise a lot of people from their pictures in the papers.

Oh! Did you see Professor Lockhart? He looked so dashing!

[alt_lana]

Professor Lockhart does wear his robes to fine effect.

I did see the Malfoys' cloak clasps, but I didn't realise their son had made them. That's quite extraordinary, really. Do you mean that he drew the designs and commissioned the clasps or that he did the metalwork himself? Now you mention it, I guess I did know he's something of an artist, but I thought pen and ink was his forte.

And I agree, Mrs Malfoy manages true elegance to a degree few women ever attain. It is not simply a matter of the quality of her robes and accessories, but of the way she carries herself: she never courts attention, and yet heads turn whenever she enters a room. Beauty is as beauty does, Mama says, and I've always found Mrs Malfoy to be as gracious as she is lovely.

[alt_draco]

I made the designs and then sent them to a shop in Daigon Alley that does jewellery making. Uncle Rodolphus told me about that one. I don't know a thing about making items out of metal.

Thank you for your compliments about my Mother.

[alt_lana]

I wish I could say that I've ever succeeded in giving as thoughtful, beautiful, or personal a gift as that to either of my parents.