Viola del Pensiero

Draco. How can I help?

Ohhh. This is lovely.

*soft moan*

Carolina, sweetheart, let's take off your party dress and get you into your nightgown.

Dear Ginny,

Finally. I'm glad to hear from you. You do remember I had told you to stay in touch? And yes, that kind of touch, too. I wouldn't have said so if I hadn't meant it.

I did feel the world move a bit that night, but yes, it did not spin off of its axis in the broader sense. So perhaps we can risk it again. I'm not sure the space-time continuum is safe, but I daren't ask Draco.

How's Thursday?

Pansy

PS The rose is lovely. Thank you.

Hallooo? Draco?

My parents gave me three keys for my birthday.

The first came early and was made of a magical alloy. It was the key to the house in Kensington. I'm enjoying it here, although the décor is a bit spare. We've only selected a few pieces so far, a bottle green velvet chaise, a lovely walnut round table and chairs, ivory damask wing chairs. Mother insisted on moving the rosewood four poster from grandmother's house, but with new hangings, thank goodness.

There are several bedrooms. And house elf quarters. Twiddie has been coming over to help. We'll figure out how to manage when if when Carolina comes.

The second key was golden, to the vault my grandmother left for me. It was laid on my plate at the birthday dinner. I'd no idea... I don't think I'll have to fret about the divorce settlements now, though I shall drive a hard bargain with Teo on custody and funds. I believe I have found a mutually agreeable solution, but I shall have to figure out how to implement it. If she'll consent, which she must.

The third key was iron and though it has no monetary value, it means everything. It's the key to the secret garden at Owlsmere and it's mine again, to pass to Carolina when the time comes. I spent so many years there as a child. Mummy first gave me the key when I was six and the gardeners helped me with the plantings. I was supposed to learn to tend for things myself, or rather, how to order others to do so. They locked it when I disappeared. I went in on Sunday. Someone had tended the roses, but the rest of the garden was a wasteland. I had to cut a path through the wild overgrowth. I remember when Bobo snuck over the wall and I was so angry I hexed his broom. Mummy took my wand for two days. I'd do anything to find him there now.

Ginny gave me a fourth key for my birthday, the key to something intangible but so real. I think it's called enjoyment - desire certainly - and it may even be mild attachment. Whatever it is, it was a lovely time. I had to come to the museum with sunglasses and glamours over the lovebites. They've grown a bit suspicious of me in the department, although I'm still cataloguing to spec. I should talk to Finola soon.

Access. It's a funny, funny thing. The key to my past. The key to my security. The key to my, well, not heart really.

Birthdays make one so maudlin. I shall go open one of the piccolos Draco sent over and do something practical, like think about furnishing the guest rooms.

Beautiful,

Sorry about the scene this morning - I wasn't awake or clothed enough for an impromptu reunion with Neville Longbottom (who knew he could shriek like a girl? - I suppose he wasn't expecting me, either). It's funny after the fact, but our brief breakfast as a foursome was all shades of awkward, wasn't it? I hope his and my departure settled the storm in a teacup, or cottage.

Thank you again for a lovely night. You were one of the finest birthday presents I can imagine. And most rewarding to unwrap.

Do stay in touch.

Yours,

Pansy

*giggles*

Where are we?

Oh this is marvelous. What was it again?

*finishes wine glass*

Dearest Teo,

I hope this letter finds you well and that the visit from Agosto and Francesca is not too terribly taxing. I'm glad the production of L'Orfeo was enjoyable and lived up to even their outrageous expectations.

I know we've spoken on the phone, but I prefer to put business matters into writing for clarity's sake. We need to discuss the situation with Carolina, face to face and as soon as possible. Please let us plan to talk about it properly during my visit next month. I will be at the Grand Hotel - Signora Castellani has the dates - and I suggest we meet for lunch, just the two of us.

I am, as ever, grateful for your care of her and also your support of me during my time in Milan and the move to London. I know that the situation with the government investigation is terrible for the entire family. I have been trying to follow it from afar, but little makes it into the English press.

Now that I am back in the arms of my own family, and the small, powerful, and secretive section of English society to which we belong, the personal and social pressures are mounting. Surely you can understand my parents' desire to see Carolina. As I've mentioned, my brother died when we were young, and Carolina is the only grandchild on my side as well.

I will be leaving the flat in Bloomsbury at the end of the month. My parents have arranged a property in Kensington for me. I will send the address information separately, but my email and mobile number should remain the same. I will return the keys in person in Milan, unless you prefer that I send them ahead.

Please thank Alberto again for arranging for the Skype connection - the chance to see Carolina during our conversations is wonderful. I'm glad she is enjoying the new English books and that her nanny is reading to her every night.

with affection and a modicum of urgency,

Diana

Just a touch more.

*splash of wine*

Dinner was lovely.

A sweet New Year to you and yours.

With affection,

Pansy P.

Dear Finola,

I'm sorry to involve you in a desperate situation, but I am truly worried about Severus. Matters with Draco have taken a sharp turn for the worse. Severus's state was wretched before, but now it's simply frightening. In the extreme. He looks exhausted and as though he might even have been crying, though perhaps that's the excessive alcohol consumption. I think he means to drink himself to death at the Athenaeum, and it is no longer sound to let him be alone. For several reasons.

Would you - and I know he is not your responsibility, but I do not know who else might intervene - would you please go check on him tomorrow and assess his condition yourself? He will not listen to me and, truly, I've done nothing to earn the right to influence his decisions. I am too recently arrived and too poorly informed to really DO anything. But something must be done. Soon.

I do apologise for dropping this in your lap.

Sincerely yours,

Pansy

*listens for a moment, then raps sharply on door*

Severus, are you alone? Open up.

Dear Draco,

I don't know if you've seen that Skeeter bitch's piece in the Prophet. Oh, of course you have, as has everyone else in the Wizarding world.

Mother has retreated to her divan, which bodes ill for all concerned. She railed at me for hours last night before 'collapsing.' Father is utterly livid and wants to take legal action, although he knows it's hopeless. He only said so to prevent Mother from throttling Barnabas Cuffe as she was threatening, in between bouts of muttering about 'echelons.' A murder charge is exactly what we need at the moment, although then she could join my 'dark lover' in Azkaban and harangue him until he tops himself.

If you have the time, I would welcome a chance to talk. I hope this owl finds you in a far more pleasant state than my own.

It's just so humiliating, even if it's mere calumny iced with hearsay.

Scandalously yours,

Pansy

PS I do hope this will not have a negative impact on the Slytherin revolt plans. If anything, Mother is MORE concerned to consolidate control than ever.

*pushes door closed and sighs*

We should be able to get privacy in here. Just for a moment.

Oh yes. I would like a glass after that. I didn't think Van was going to go into the Floo.

Dear Draco,

We will all be there tomorrow. I believe Mother is also talking to her ladies, which is very good indeed. I've tried to encourage drawing-room salvos, as they seem the sort of diplomacy we need at the moment.

On a related topic, I went to see Severus at the Athenaeum last night. I made sure his room was cleaned while I was there (he'd quite terrified the house-keeping staff into submission). He also ate a full dinner. I also brought up the beard but, well, you know. In any case, I did what little I could to help keep up appearances. I'm sure Marik has told you his part of the evening as well.

I shall close here as I must get back to my section. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow. Do contact me if there is anything I can do in advance. I remain

Affectionately yours,

Pansy

Severus, I know you're in there. Open the door.