6, January, 1941
My Dear Adriana,
It saddens me that the holidays are already over and done with and that you're back at the cottage. I truly enjoyed having you here. I really enjoyed your baklava. I didn't realize how much I missed it. And I hope you enjoyed yourself. I know you don't like large crowds, but you did very well. I didn't have time before you arrived to warn you that most of the students were staying at the school this year, but I think it was wonderful how you planned out the pantomime show. It was a real hit—especially the Punch and Judy puppet show. The older students might have rolled their eyes, but I know they enjoyed it. They just didn't want to be seen enjoying it.
I hope you are enjoying your new clothes. I know you feel five outfits are excessive, but think of how long they'll last you. They're all sturdy materials and very well made. They'll last for years, as long as you don't have to keep taking them in too much. Your blue dress you wore last year, I noticed, was much smaller this year. I think our plans for the spring and summer months couldn't have come at a better time. The next time I see you, I don't want you to be any thinner, or I will be sending owls with baskets of food each week to you.
You seem to have made fast friends with Professor Merrythought. She mentioned to me just the other day how she misses seeing you. I'm so glad I thought to introduce you to her. You need more women friends, and besides me, have hardly any contacts in the Wizarding World. It can never hurt having connections and friends. The more I think about it, the more I see that she would be a wonderful addition to our plans. Feel free to write to her and fill her in.
It seems as though we will have to continue our correspondence by letter only, until the summer. It would be lovely to have you visit for the spring holidays, but I fear you'll be far too busy. The time will pass quickly, and then we'll be able to spend the entire summer holiday together. Not alone, but together.
My toes are still tapping from the New Year's Masque. I don't know why I avoided it for so long. I love dancing and music, and I had a grand time. I know you did too, in spite of the large group of strangers. You had fun dancing with all the men, and I hope with myself as well. Though I noticed you had one man in particular who tried to occupy all your time. I should have warned you about Lucian Malfoy. He's a rather tenacious man to say the very least. His son Abraxas is a student at the school, and as they say, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. But anyway, every time you managed to dodge him, he somehow found you again. I suppose I should have rescued you, but I just found it all so amusing. That is horrible of me, I know, but you were never in any danger. I would have intervened had I sensed it was getting out of control. But I know you well enough to know you can handle just about anything. Malfoy has had his comeuppance coming to him for a long time, and I for one enjoyed witnessing it. I think his wife did too. The question is, did you know that was the Minister for Magic standing next to him while you dumped a glass of wine over his head? It was very difficult not to laugh hysterically, it took all of my energy not to.
Well my girl, it has been a Christmas holiday for the record books. I look forward to what the future holds, and to seeing you once again come summer.
All my Love,
Albus
12, January, 1941
Dear Albus,
I had a wonderful time up at the school. Yes, a little warning might have been nice about the enormous crowd, but couldn't be helped I suppose. Was the entire student-body there this year? It's been a while since I've been around so many people, though I did spend some intimate nights in the London Underground station with what felt like half the city. Luckily the students kept to themselves mostly. Although I had a lovely talk with Miss McGonagall when I arrived. It seems she's rather concerned about her family in Glasgow. Her sisters have been evacuated and she doesn't know where they are. I hope you're keeping a close eye on the students who are so closely affected by the war, Albus. They really need it.
I think you're right, the pantomime was wonderful. The students really did all the work, I just gave them the idea. They all worked so hard and had so much fun. The Punch and Judy puppet show was hilarious. I think Orion Black and Pomona Sprout might have successful careers as puppeteers some day if they wish. And Hagrid's performance as Captain Hook in the Peter Pan play was quite amusing. Who knew that Tom Riddle and Minerva would make such an excellent Peter and Wendy? There's nothing better than a good show at Christmas to forget the problems in the world. I think everybody's spirits were raised.
Was it me or did it seem like there was so much more food this year than last year? I could only eat a bite of everything, there was so much! I tried to eat some of the goose but it was just too rich. I can't eat very rich things anymore, I'm afraid. I'm sure it was delicious. I will try not to get too much thinner, but Albus, I just can't eat anymore. What this war is doing to my nerves…When it's over, I think I shall need a very long holiday. Maybe I'll go live in Iceland for a while. I'm sure it's a very quiet place to live.
I am very glad you introduced me to Galatea. She is a wonderful person, and one I hope will be a friend for some time to come. She has wonderful taste in clothes, as you can attest to, seeing as she designed the dress I wore to the Masque. I will definitely pass on your idea to her. I suppose it's not really something you can talk about very openly at the school. I think having her help, if she's willing, would be a wonderful plan. More hands will be quite helpful.
And now, let's discuss the Masque, shall we? I did love getting to wear that gorgeous dress, though I couldn't help but wonder how many ration tickets it would have taken to get the material in the Muggle world. I felt so elegant, not something I get to feel very often anymore. You always manage to make me feel special. I loved getting to dance with you, it's not something we did much when we were together, but I can't help but wish we had. It started off great, dancing, listening to lovely music, sharing dances with handsome men, but then that man insisted on dancing with me! I was able to handle it myself, but I do wish you hadn't gotten so much pleasure out of my discomfort, Albus. That Lucian Malfoy is an odious man who will not take "no" for an answer! Believe me, I have no intentions of ever getting entangled with the Malfoys. I don't need people like that in my life. The first dance was nice enough. He was polite, suave, and quite handsome. It was when he opened his mouth to speak that things sort of went downhill. He talked politics, which I suppose is appropriate at a Ministry-sponsored dance, but the vile things he said…He assumed I was pureblood. I tried to keep my mouth shut, but when he starting saying things like Muggles deserved the war and everything that came with it, and that he hoped by the time it was over there'd be significantly less Muggles in the world to deal with, I couldn't. I did my best to be polite, and demure, and allow him to have his opinion, I really did. And I had no idea we were standing next to the Minister for Magic himself when I accused them of conspiring together to aid in the killing of Muggles and the Muggleborn in the war. And I had no idea, until I did it, that I would be pouring my glass of red wine on his head. I really didn't. Maybe I went too far, and I should have apologized, but I just couldn't. It's a good thing we left after that or I'd probably be in Azkaban right now. I wonder if Mister Malfoy's hair is still red or if he dyed it back to blond…At least I used my real name that night and didn't mention keeping the school open in his presence or he might have remembered the letter I sent him. The Minister for Magic is already looking for Annie Robinson. That would not have gone well…Oh, we must go again next year! It was too much fun to miss out!
I'm sitting in the kitchen as I write this to you, Albus, and Didi is making tea. It's dark out now, but I think it's starting to snow. I think I'll start up a nice fire in the fireplace, and read a book. I don't have much time left to just relax, do I!
Love Always,
Adriana
A/N: The original story I wrote had me using the name "Janos" for Lucius Malfoy's father. Now that we have a real name, I have decided to honor it and use Abraxas from here on out instead.
Also, hopefully this link will work if you copy and paste it. This is what Adriana wore to the Masque.
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