The house is quiet again!

[alt_molly]

And Arthur and I have to do all the chores ourselves again now. I'd gotten rather spoiled, not having to get up first thing in the morning to milk the goats. (Oh, well, at least that means there's a bit less whingeing.)

We had a whirlwind of activity the last couple of days before taking the children to the train. We hosted a party of pick up Quidditch for a number of the children's friends on Friday. Luna came over a bit early to help Ginny and me bake biscuits. It was so lovely to see her again.

On Saturday, we went to London to see the traitor's body. We got rather a later getaway than I had planned, however, and the queue was so long that we weren't able to get all the way through before the queue was stopped for the night.

George and Fred, I found a beater bat under Fred's bed; I don't know whether it's Fred's or George's, but I'll send it by owl this morning. I'm sure you'll want it. Ron, I have that packet of extra socks that you forgot on the wardrobe, and I'll send those along, too.

Comments

Order Only

[alt_molly]

Frank and Alice: Evelyn and Neville were two of the ones who came over on Friday. They both enjoyed themselves hugely, I think. I watched the Quidditch a bit through the kitchen window. Evelyn is turning out to have some respectable Chaser skills, considering she's so young. Flying continues not to be Neville's favourite thing, perhaps, but he was willing to give it a go, and didn't mind when his team was soundly trounced, and took the teasing from Ron and the twins good-naturedly.

He did look a little peaky, I thought. Nothing to be too concerned about, perhaps, just a little pale, as if he's not been sleeping well. When I said something about the dark circles under his eyes, Evelyn asked him if he has been having nightmares 'again.' He shushed her, looking none too pleased (I suppose he was a bit embarrassed), but denied any problem. He certainly ate with a good appetite, like any growing and healthy teenage boy.

I do like them both. So polite. Augusta has obviously raised them well.

Re: Order Only

[alt_alice]

Thanks for the update, Molly, dear.

We got a letter from Augusta that mentioned something similar -- that our Neville hadn't been sleeping too well. She'd worried that it was something to do with seeing the body, and felt rather badly about taking him there, but couldn't see any way round it. She also thought it might have something to do with Carrow, too, especially after what he posted in the journals. And now that he's back at school, I'm not going to rest easy on that account until summer hols.

I'm glad they were both able to have some time with friends before term started, though.

[alt_gredforge]

It's mine. Thanks, Mum. I'll need that.

[alt_ron]

Oh. All right.

Hadn't missed them yet.

[alt_molly]

I'm not surprised in the least.

[alt_percy]

I for one will not miss the goats in the least.

And I do not whinge.

[alt_gredforge]

You were whingeing plenty in the queue on Saturday when we weren't moving fast enough to suit you.

[alt_percy]

That's different.

[alt_gredforge]

Oh, of course. Entirely different for Big Head Boy.

[alt_percy]

We were expected to get through the queue. We had a duty to do so, and we didn't live up to it.

I swear, sometimes Weasley disorganisation absolutely infuriates me.

I Solemnly Swear that I Am Up to No Good

[alt_gredforge]

Who says that delay wasn't carefully organised?

Prat.

Re: I Solemnly Swear that I Am Up to No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

Well, he's not likely to admit that in public even if he knows.

[alt_molly]

Oh, dear, Percy. I am sorry you're still cross about it, but there was that Floo call that went on a bit longer than I expected, and...well, nobody can doubt that we were in the queue. We signed the book and everything. Of course no one will hold it against us if we didn't have enough time.

Really, no one could have foreseen what happened with the goats.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Ha!

Y'know, I really thought maybe we hadn't done enough to slow things down. When we first got there, I mean, and it looked like the queue wasn't so long as everyone had said.

But then, who knew the queue wrapped all the way round the building like it did? Or that it wound around so many times once you'd got inside that first big room? That was the lucky bit. Otherwise, all the goats in Devon wouldn't have been enough.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

What happened with the goats, exactly?

And who made it happen?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Oh. It was the twins' idea, really.

So they should tell you. I just sort of pitched in.

[alt_molly]

One would think that after so many years you'd be used to it, dear.

[alt_percy]

At least I was able to buy a post card.

[alt_gredforge]

A post card? Somehow we missed those.

Yes, that's a souvenir to treasure.

[alt_percy]

For your information, it's a post card of the Lord Protector, and it shows the ceremony, when the case was unveiled.

Private message to Fred Weasley and George Weasley

[alt_percy]

Have you both taken leave of your senses? Do you want doubts to arise about our family's loyalty? For Merlin's sake, watch what you say in the journals.

[alt_molly]

Well...yes. There is that.

Private message to Molly Weasley

[alt_percy]

Oh, about Luna. I was going to mention it when I sent my usual letter this week, but I've heard she ran into a spot of trouble on the train and got hexed. Some other girls being spiteful, I'm afraid.

Re: Private message to Molly Weasley

[alt_molly]

Oh, dear. Hexed how? Is she all right? Have you seen her?

Re: Private message to Molly Weasley

[alt_percy]

I heard about it from Penny.

The hex made her lips swell up enormously, like sausages. It didn't seem to bother her much, according to Penny. She went off to dinner that way when she got off the train, serene as ever.

Madam Pomfrey must have sorted her out eventually, I presume.

Re: Private message to Molly Weasley

[alt_molly]

Oh my goodness.

I swear, sometimes I think there isn't anything as nasty or spiteful as a teenage girl.

Did Penny know why it happened, what prompted it, I mean? Luna didn't mention anything on Friday about having any troubles with anyone.

Re: Private message to Molly Weasley

[alt_percy]

Don't know. I'll ask Penny about it, next time I see her. Perhaps she's heard something more about it by now.