Private message to Ronald Weasley

[alt_molly]

Ron, dear:

I'm out on another barter network meeting tonight, and since I keep missing you (we NEVER seem to be home at the same time; what HAVE you been doing with your time??) I'm just putting a private note here to bring some things to your attention before I forget.

Thank you for being prompt about milking the goats this morning, but PLEASE do remember to be careful about closing the latch all the way when you come back out of the goat shed. Persephone got out and ate two whole rows of cabbages before I had her corralled again. I know this may not seem like a tragedy to you, since you're not fond of cabbage anyway, but the tomatoes certainly would have been her next target, the greedy thing, and those you would have missed.

We've received a notice that your YPL salary has been deposited under your name at Gringotts. I know you've been pining for some pocket money, dear, but your father and I do want to chat with you about what sorts of things you can spend the money on.

Your father said something about Pansy Parkinson sending you a broom? That's the one meant for Sally-Anne Perks, isn't it? Arthur also mentioned you're planning to tinker with some of the charms on it. What sort of charms? Maybe you'll think I'm a worry wart, but do you truly know what you're doing? It's one thing if you're adding cushioning or waterproofing charms, but if you're doing anything to fiddle with how it actually operates, isn't that the sort of thing better left to a professional?

Oh, and speaking of Sally-Anne: Mrs Elspeth Buchanan mentioned that she's set up a barter contract with Sally-Anne's father. He'll be coming out this Wednesday to work on the charms on her new cistern. It's an all-day job, and might even take him a couple of days, actually. I wonder...do you think the girl might think it a good opportunity to visit him? Could you pass the word along to her? I think it would be less obvious if you do it rather than me.

Comments

[alt_ron]

Um. Hiya, Mum.

Persephone got into the cabbages? Really? Um, that's a shame. No idea how that happened. I guess goats are just really clever with their noses, yeah? She must have got the catch up on the lock all by herself. But, um. Sorry if it was anything I forgot, anywiz.

They paid me already? I haven't even done anything yet! But, so, yeah. I figured you'd want to talk about what it's for. That's all right. I understand. I mean, it's not like it's a modeling gig or anything. So, yeah. Is Dad going to be home at all this week? It seems like he's working extra long hours this summer. Or maybe it's always like this and I just forgot. Is everything all right in the office, do you think?

And, yeah. About the broom. Pansy got it for Sally Anne. As a surprise. And I'm just putting cushioning charms on and some handling spells to make easier to steer in a stiff breeze and at heights and all. So she'll have a better time when we go off on these distance flying trips. Same spells I've tried on my own broom.

I'll tell her about her dad.

Actually, Mum. D'you think Sally Anne and Pansy could maybe come stay here on Wednesday so we could get ready to go on the Avebury trip Thursday. I mean, we could check out her broom and all. And maybe, like you said, she could go see if she could talk to her dad while he's at Mrs Buchanan's. Anywiz, I'll ask her if she'd like to.

If it's okay with you and all.

[alt_molly]

Yes, you've received a payment, but I think it's just a token amount, just to verify the account, you know, and the bulk of it will come later.

I know that sometimes from the way I grumble it sounds as if your father is always working longer hours. But I do think it's been a bit worse than usual. Part of it is that the investigations since that Dogstar group was shut down has slowed everything down. And part of it, I think, is that he's supervising Nicholas Towler now. I think that Nicholas will be a help once he gets up to speed, but until then, your father has to explain everything before doing it, you see.

Oh, so these are charms you've already tried out on your own broom? Well, that makes me feel a little better.

As for Sally-Anne and Pansy, well...ordinarily I might hesitate, simply because things are so cramped here, but Fred and George just told me that they are spending Wednesday night with a friend, so the girls could stay in their room. So yes, I think it will be all right. (Don't worry, I'll check the room for hexes first. AND change the sheets.)

[alt_ron]

You're the best, Mum!