Penelope Clearwater

Well, that's Valentine's over.

I'm glad, actually. I didn't half think about it at all until tea-time, and then it was just to think he was probably working away, maybe eating a cake over his desk and making sure the crumbs didn't fall on some precious parchment of Mr Malfoy's. On reflection I don't know what I was doing with him, anyway. Well. Of course I know. But you're right, I'll find someone better.

Look, you and Ptolemy didn't have to clear out last night, either. I was expecting to go out and leave you to it. But thanks. It was rather a relief to come back at half-eleven and have the place to myself. I didn't hear you come in; did he take you somewhere grand?

But listen, if you two want, let's all go round the pub tonight? There's a small combo playing and I think you'll like them a great deal. I want you to meet the guitarist and tell me what you think. He's an acquaintance of Mr Powell's. Really rather fit, even if he is a little older.

Mum says Dad gave her a bouquet and even suggested they go out for supper last night. I say he's just making up from the last quarrel but you know how she is. She'll never leave, if the house were to burn down around them.

Well, I'm going to pop round the pasty cart while the weather's holding. See you after work?

Karo,

Fancy a drink?

Percy's gone out for a pint with his father, because I suppose whatever's wrong at work this time isn't something he can tell me, just that it's all horrible. I mean, I know his father's worked in offices with demanding wizards longer than either of us but--I just wish he'd let me know more about what's bothering him.

Aside from money, which is almost all he ever wants to talk about now.

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be complaining about living with my boyfriend when you and Ptolemy are busy planning your big day. I'm sure it won't be anything like this with him, for you. For one thing, it's not as if money will be a problem!

But there's also--I mean, I don't think Ptolemy's the sort who'll expect you to work a full day and then have supper on the table for him. (Ironic, isn't it? If we could afford a mudblood, that'd be one less thing to row over, but as we can barely afford the food, we can't very well stand the stipend for someone to cook it!) Has his father said anything to you about getting you one? I suppose it's not the sort of thing you can put on a bridal registry, hah!

Honestly, Karo, sometimes I wonder if we were wiser not to get married straight off, or if that would have made this all better. I know my mother thinks he'll never ask this way--and he may not do, but I'm still not ready for all that, anyway. Especially if he thinks I'll instantly turn into his mum (complete with seven children, goats, chickens and a ghoul in the attic, no doubt!).

I mean, it's weird, right? We talked about so many things before I left school. One of the things he wanted most was to get away from the squalour his family live in. But every Sunday he wants to go tromping back there, milking the Merlin-forsaken goats. And Circe forbid that I don't want to go with him! It's like he wants to build a life in New London but he can't quite bring himself to leave the old one behind completely. I know he loves them, but you should see the way he talks about them in private. And he's so different with them, too! You remember that night we met the two of you down the pub? He's just so informed. He and Ptolemy really hit it off, I thought. He even sounded a bit sophisticated--I think he even impressed Ptolemy a little with that quip about Mr Croaker! But with his family, it's like they turn him into the butt of every joke, somehow. Though it's different when it's just Mr and Mrs Weasley and his brother Bill, though it's still...uncomfortable, sometimes. Like they're all expecting him to put his elbow in the butter dish or something. (Well, not quite. It's just something I can't quite put my finger on. I know. It's like they think he's puffing himself up when really he's just telling the truth about the things he's done and the people he's met. It's like they're a little bit disappointed in him, and I just don't see how that can be. Apart from Bill he's done better than the rest of them put together!)

Well, anyway. Sorry to go ranting in your direction. I guess I just needed to purge it all.

But an ale would also do wonders, if you're free.