alt_lana | XLV.

I wish there were more occasions like last night's Ball. I do love a night of dancing, and it was such good fun to see everyone in fancy dress. Especially the men with their short robes and silk stockings and heeled shoes! It must be said, though, that the women were more uniformly flattered by the styles of their robes: not every man looks well in great hose.

I was glad that Ned and I had gone twice during the week for dancing lessons. I wouldn't have dared attempt a galliard if we hadn't, but it was so exhilarating! I wonder if we could get up a club once a month or so for Renaissance dancing?

There was so much that I can't begin to do it justice--so much that was beautiful, spectacular, unique, intriguing, and a few things that were downright shocking. But we all agreed that the funniest thing was something we'd have missed if we hadn't gone out to take the air at just the moment we did: if you missed the dancing minstrels, you really missed a show! And if you saw it, I bet you agree!

Orion. Thank you so much for the tickets. Ned and I enjoyed it all week, and last night was truly special. I only wish you could have been with us.

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Vani?

Are things all right at the Rowles' today?

If you need a place to get away to, you know you're welcome at ours. Whenever you need to come.

The way some of the boys around here make a fuss over wearing anything the least bit 'girly' it's a wonder any grown bloke would wear tights! Who did you go as? I saw the papers had a photograph of Mrs Malfoy as - what did the they call it? The Gloriana Regina. Glorious is right. The gold on her robes was magnificent! And Mr Malfoy was ever so dashing dressed as Lord Dudley.

Is it true that people were floating above a break in the ice?

Oh - I dunno if you saw but Hogsmeade had a sort of a festival too, yesterday. It wasn't anything to compare with New London, but the shops on the high street had tables outdoors and there were some buskers in the streets. Only it was a little difficult to really enjoy the snowball tossing and all that when there were warnings everywhere about that Snape fellow and telling us there would be patrols at night.

You probably can't say, but don't the Aurors have any hope of catching him soon? Or Macnair? It's been so dreary having the Azkaban guards nearby all year.

I went as Lady Penelope Rich. Madam Chalfont did my hair up golden, which, as you can imagine, was quite a departure from my usual look. But she was said to have dark eyes, so I believe I was able to pull off the effect rather well. And the robes were gorgeous. I had a standing ruff of the most extraordinary lace you've ever seen, and my robes were maroon velvet with cutwork sleeves that showed through to undersleeves made of tissue of cloth of gold. I needed a cooling charm once we began dancing, but it was such a fantastic thing, being kitted up like that!

I suppose there weren't any duels in Hogsmeade yesterday. Or I hope there weren't, anyway. Did you have a good time? Anything special for Valentine's Day?

And, no. Of course, I can't say a thing on your final subject, though I'm sure it is difficult having the Azkaban guards posted so near the castle. Orion tells me it's been nearly as bad as it was before Christmas. I do hope very much that there will be a break in the case before long.

That sounds lovely, although it's hard to imagine you blonde.

No, there weren't any duels. I read all about the one Mr Rowle had. Johns works for them, doesn't she? Did she have any inkling that the baby wasn't his? I hope her job's not in danger, although the papers sounded like Mr Rowle wasn't looking to dissolve the marriage.

We had fun in Hogsmeade for a while. But as far as I'm concerned, Valentine's is a simply horrid holiday. I hate it!

You were right about boys, too. All of it.

Yes, Shivani does work for the Rowles, but she's never said anything about any unpleasantness between Mr and Mrs Rowles.

I mean, she's not very happy working for them, but I think it's more to do with how much they expect her to do (nearly everything to do with the children--they don't seem very interested in being parents).

And Mr Rowle is, well, he's a bit harsh. With everyone. But surely Mrs Rowle knew that when she fell in love with him. Or maybe she didn't. Fall in love, I mean. I suppose there are lots of reasons she might have married him that have little to do with love.

It's just that one does hope to find someone suitable and lovable, too. I suppose it's not always possible, though, and it's true that men (more than boys even) can be disappointing. That's why I said you shouldn't risk the things you care about--your marks, your connections, your family's approval, and your reputation--on boys while you're still in school.

I'm sorry, though, if you've had a disappointment in that area.

Well, I wasn't risking them - I mean, I took your advice and I made sure that Page and I were always in groups and no one could say anything improper. Only Page didn't much care for that. He said he thought I didn't fancy him or I'd have found ways to be alone with him and snog and stuff.

But I think he really just wanted to ask Bell out, because it's been barely a week since he told me he didn't want to see me anymore - like that, anyway - and he was in Madam Puddifoot's with Bell today. Snogging each other's faces off, practically.

It's so unfair. I explained why we couldn't do anything and he took it all wrong anyway. I dunno. I just think they're more trouble than they're worth. Boys, I mean.

Anyway, I probably won't get to marry because of something like love. I guess I'll just have to do what Zabini's mum's done and take lovers once I'm married. Only I shan't get caught like Mrs Rowle!

I'm sorry about Page, but you see that's just the reason why you shouldn't place too much trust in boys. I can't think who Bell is even. A nothing, I'm sure.

I wouldn't recommend taking Mrs Lindorm (she hasn't married again, has she?) as a model. If you can't think why, I'd rather not explain. But you're quite right: if you are going to take a lover, you ought to be considerably more cautious than Mrs Rowle seems to have been.

I still can't imagine it's true. Hewett's lucky to be alive today: Rowle is not a man I'd wish to cross.

Have you heard from Vani at all today?

Only I'm a bit worried, you know. After all the to do with Mr Hewett.

Can you imagine? What on earth could Mrs Rowle have been thinking to get mixed up with a Quidditcher? I heard they were introduced by Mrs Hewett! At a house party she was having for girlfriends, only he came home when he was expected to be on the road with the team through the weekend.

I don't know what to believe. I mean, I know Vani hasn't been very happy there, but she's never said anything about them rowing. I suppose she wouldn't. She's really the most discreet person I know. I hope they appreciate it properly. I mean, honestly, if this is all true, then it's a tribute to their staff that it didn't come out in the papers first.

And really, I think that's the thing that makes me wonder if it could possibly be true. How can it possibly have been kept quiet all this time? What do you think?

Got your owl, you tit.

I wasn't going to answer at all, but I do think you'll find the story about the minstrels funny, so.

We went out to get some air and came round the Protector's statue into the square just in time to see this whole group of wizards--all of them on the Council--having a bit of fun at the expense of a troupe of musicians. They were hexing them to make them dance, and leap, and squeak, and sing in odd voices. It was, really, the funniest thing. And at the end, the lead minstrel bowed and put out his cap. Well, he was risking a serious hex for being saucy, but they seemed to like his gumption! And they all chipped in.

Then they all went off to dangle skaters over top of a hole they melted in the ice. I guess that was a bit less funny to the people on the other end of their charms. There were letters in the Prophet yesterday grousing about people being victimised and so forth. Did you see them? Whingers.

To answer your main question. Not that it deserves an answer, mind. Ned and I didn't 'get up to anything'--or at least not anything like you have in mind. We did walk out onto London Bridge and watch the sunrise--together with Shivani and Thom Evan and Sarah and Damion Gladwell.

It's true, though: I am thinking of asking Papa if I could have the old gardener's cottage. My hours worry Mama, and that's just unnecessary aggravation for her: I can't change my shifts, so it would be best if she were less aware of it when I'm not home early. It has nothing at all to do with Ned, and I'll thank you NOT to put that idea in anyone's head. Really. Please.

I'm off now for the concert. We're going to have supper first so we can miss Celestina Warbeck and the boring people she brings out, but the rest of the programme is fabulous. You are still my favourite brother of all time for buying our Faire passes. Even if you are a prat.

XLV.

Private Message to Shivani Johns

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