Order Only: Last Night

[alt_ron]

All right, so that was some party. I mean, I thought Siz's wedding was   I know some people have really expensive parties all the time, but this was totally amazing. As good as any of the public entertainments they put on in New London--y'know, like the Twelfth Night or Freedom Day faires where they have tents that they trick out like it's an Arabian harem or an underwater palace in Atlantis or a Greek temple or wotever. But Marlborough house is...it's a private house, y'know? And they'd made it look like the inside was a forest with glades and clearings and thickets and caves and one room had a waterfall in it! And that's on top of the house itself being... I can't even describe it. I mean, I've been to Buckingham the once, and it was the same. Dead amazing inside, but

Er, nevermind. I've just never really been in a place like that, alright?

Anywiz, I was mostly in Harry's robe pocket last night, though I did slip out into a bank of fern for a while because I heard Braithewaite say something to Travers about Fenrir Greyback. So, you remember that Greyback had a whole troop of half-transformed werewolves in the parade after Christmas. Even though it was daylight and wasn't the right time of the moon. And then Remus found out the Ministry've been experimenting on werewolves, well, yeah. I reckon that project's been a giant success. Voldemort's using them now to snuff out traitors and frighten the snot out of people. Like hit wizards only more gruesome, if you see what I mean. I guess Braithewaite's been in on it for a while and Travers had just gone along for the first time with 'her', which totally meant Auror Lestrange even though they didn't say so. Anywiz. The funny thing is they're both dead glad it's not Inferi they're working with. Someone's always got it worse, I guess.

That was the most interesting conversation I heard. That and the end of somebody's conversation about fiddlehead ferns coming in from somewhere to Borough Market and some people getting poisoned. Mostly everything else was just people chatting each other up.

Speaking of which. Did the rest of you see Zabini with Susan Spinx? I don't think he came with her--or, um, arrived with her--but he was definitely getting off with her in one of the fairy bowers. I mean, loads of people were getting seriously friendly with other people, weren't they? That's one of those things a snake can tell without looking, in case you wanted to know.

Comments

[alt_ron]

Yeah, mind you, if anyone'd seen me, they'd probably have thought I was edible like the most of the rest of the decorations!

Would've been a nasty surprise.

[alt_draco]

Edible decorations, that makes me think of the life-size gingerbread house we had at our Christmas party one year. Only I don't remember eating much of it because, you know, I could have gingerbread whenever I wanted.

Anyway, at least nothing horrid happened, like hunting muggles in the caves for sport.

[alt_ron]

No, so far as I could tell, nothing like that happened last night.

No muggles or muggleborns there at all, I don't think. Reckon Crouch is one for elves and nothing else.

[alt_hydra]

I think he also just let Daphne plan the whole event, from top to bottom. And she wouldn't ever put 'muggle hunting' down as part of the entertainment, and Crouch wouldn't expect her to, either.

Private Message to Hydra

[alt_ron]

What's he doing with her? Can you tell?

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_hydra]

Doing with her in what way?

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_ron]

I mean, does he really fancy her? Enough to keep on with it?

Is he actually going to marry her?

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_hydra]

Yes, I think so - as much as someone like him is able.

I mean, his love for Antonin is true and unshakable and the sort of parental bond I've never known. I don't know if someone like Crouch has room for loving more than one person that way. Unconditional is what it's called, I suppose. And in any case I'm not sure he could love a woman like that.

He's truly fascinated by Daphs. But, it's not maybe the way a normal person would be fascinated by a lover. There's some possessiveness to it, and also an awful lot of lust. All those little floaty pieces on her gown, the ones meant to look a bit like leaves? He kept thinking about the specific parts of her body they were touching, and how he would later be sure to touch every single spot. He prizes her. That's what it is. But there's warmth to it, too.

He's going to speak to Voldemort about her, that I saw clearly. You can be sure that means he's going to see if Voldemort will let him move forward with an engagement.

As to what Daphne feels, I probably already said too much to someone else. That's her private business, and it doesn't seem to be hurting any of us.

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_ron]

I wonder if she'd feel differently if she knew how he thinks about her?

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_hydra]

What, you think I should tell her?

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_ron]

I don't know. I mean, I don't know if you can tell someone that sort of thing. And have them hear what you're really saying, I mean.

I suppose I was thinking it's a shame she can't read him the way you can.

I just-

It was bad when she was seeing Bole and he was awful to her. But Crouch? She could get hurt so much worse with him. And I know she might go ahead with it anyway because she wants to do something for the Order, but at least then it wouldn't be mixed up with being in love with him.

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_hydra]

Right, no matter what I say I can't help but think that it's the sort of thing that a person has to come to see on their own.

Crouch isn't awful to her, but he's not at all what she deserves.

And I'm not sure she ever expects a man to care for her except exactly in the way that Crouch does. I mean, I've never actually heard her think that, this is just the conclusion I've come to based on things I've noticed about her over time.

It's a bit depressing, but you'd be surprised how many women and girls think that way.

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_ron]

Too right, that's depressing.

Ugh.

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_hydra]

You know who I could say something to? Crouch.

I've been very frank and blunt with him before, and he hasn't hexed me for it yet.

Re: Private Message to Hydra

[alt_ron]

But what would you actually say to him?

Sorry. If you think you could say something to him, then maybe you should.