A letter to you from the Malfoy Family. A bit of time has passed, so don't be surprised that everyone is all grown up.
Dear Family, Friends, and Enemies of the Malfoy Family,
The Malfoys have stepped out of their humble abode to send joyous holiday greetings to their beloved friends and hated foes (yes, even our enemies are subjected to these annual letters). Our list is getting longer, so our owls are really punished this time of year.
I (Gemma) have been chosen to write the annual Christmas Letter this year. I accepted on the condition that Mum would not permitted to edit my work. Mum finally trusts me to punctuate correctly, so she agreed. Plus, I was selected because I've been a good girl. I haven't wrecked any wedding plans, pointed my finger at my siblings when disaster strikes (so entertaining), or flunked out of Hogwarts. (For those of you who don't know me, that last part was a joke.) And now, finally, after years of receiving Malfoy Annual Letters from the Gryffindor perspective, you get to read pure Slytherin. My father is so proud. And mum too, almost forgot.
Many of you wonder how all my siblings turned out to be Gryffindors. It is a mystery to me. With Draco Malfoy and Astoria Greengrass for parents, you would think my older sibs would be Slytherin too. My guess is that my parents bent over backwards to raise their children the exact opposite of the way they were raised. You know, Death Eater education isn't exactly politically correct nowadays. Could be why mum educated us herself before we left for Hogwarts. Somehow, number five (me) slipped through the cracks. Either the parents ran out of energy fighting my Slytherin personality or they like me the way I am. The jury is still out on that.
So, family news. That's what these letters are usually about, hmm? Do you want to hear about our family vacation to Greece? America? Australia? No, I thought not. The most interesting thing about traveling was watching the parents struggle to balance between Classy Wizard Hotel Vacation Tours and Muggle Sightseeing Trails. We saw the sights, but Mum is always adamant that we travel the Muggle way and see their attractions too. Of particular note, Father got sunburnt on the trip because he refused Muggle sun screen, so he only came out at night during most of the vacation. He should have just used his wand, I know. Of all of us, Mum had the best time.
The Manor had some exciting adventures this year. Part of the East Wing actually caved in. What a fantastic sight! No one knows how it happened exactly, but it definitely was fun demolishing, repairing and remodeling the family home. It had to be rebuilt from the ground up, and of course, it had to be done right. Please come and visit. I myself added some special haunts just for you.
The parents still look young and beautiful, but they really are not young any longer. Hmmm. Must be Malfoy magic at work there. Business (that's International Technological Investments as well as Wizarding Tele Communications, in case you didn't know) is going very well for Father, and Mum still volunteers for various organizations. She also works a bit on the magazine, Magical Parenting Today. I hope you read the latest issue. I enjoyed the article, "Successful and Slytherin". Lately, they have both been working together on some mysterious potion- - a new business venture, most likely. They are whispering quite a bit and stirring the pot together once again. When you think about it, most things they do together turn out pretty well. I mean, look at us kids, right?
Scorpius, age 24, just completed his studies in International Muggle Law. We are all wondering where that will take him: Politics? Business? Human Rights? Non-human rights? Is he planning to go Muggle? Work for the Wizengamot? He is as serious as ever, always reading a book. We are waiting for him to get serious about a girl. Maybe you are the witch hoping that he is the one for you. Give me a call and I'll set you up. He needs a bit of help. Just kidding, Rose Weasley.
Cassie is 22. As you have heard, every single year that the Malfoys have owled you a Christmas letter, Cassie is an amazing artist with a part time job at the magazine. Sometimes she shows her art at the The Paintbrush Gallery on Diagon Alley. Usually, she illustrates the Christmas letter, many times she has painted the cards, but this year, since I'm the writer, no such luck. Seriously, she is so radiant, even her art comes to life. Cassie is the one whose wedding I single handedly destroyed. Not that I'm bragging or anything. It's been a year, and she is just beginning to speak to me again. The marriage is fine though, so that's what counts. Father and Mother are hoping for a grandchild soon, but I don't think Cassie would bring her dog to visit us, let alone a baby. The parents would either have to move away from Malfoy Manor -or get rid of me. Hmmm. In case you missed the announcement in the Daily Prophet, Cassie married her Hogwarts sweetheart, Albus Potter. Nothing more to say about that.
Orion (age 20) and Leo (age 19) are practically the same person. If you know one, you know the other. Hope their girlfriends can tell them apart. Leo and Orion are both training to be Aurors, but I think they secretly want to play professional Quidditch. Maybe it's not a secret, though, since they actually tried out this last month! Still waiting to hear the results. Father is delighted, but Mum is not at all thrilled. She wants them to have a real job. Personally, I think it would be hilarious if they played for opposing teams. The entire family would be in a dilemma: Where should we sit? What colors shall we wear? For whom do we cheer? Now that's one way to break up a family.
My turn. In case we haven't met, I am Gemini Malfoy, age 14. This is my fourth year at Hogwarts. I am the only Malfoy there this year, which makes the professors breathe a sigh of relief, I'm sure. It's also the reason why I haven't been in trouble. My sibs have all moved on. It's sad, but I do have Caelum to look forward to torturing-I mean entertaining-when he comes to Hogwarts next year! I'm doing well at Hogwarts, thanks for asking, but haven't found my true love yet. I'm talking about my magical field of interest here, not romantic interest. (Calm down, Mum.) Unless it's the quill. I do like my quill. I write all the time and wear it in my hair like Mum does. Sometimes I get it mixed up with my wand. That's how powerful the quill is in my mind: as powerful as magic. So watch out, Rita Skeeter, I'm after your job.
My baby brother Caelum is now age 10. Surprise! Next year he is at Hogwarts. What will Mum do without someone to educate? Perhaps she will get a job at Hogwarts since she loves teaching so much. No. Forget I said that. Terrible idea.
Back to Caelum. As you know, Caelum is, like all other Malfoys, the perfect child. Unlike other Malfoys, Caelum is an entertainer, not shy at all. Yes, it's true; most of the Malfoys are secretly shy, except for Caelum. He's slapstick funny and quick witted with his words. He becomes a different person depending upon whom he is with. (Or is it more grammatically correct to say, With whom he is? That's ridiculous, Mum. Leave me alone.) It might seem superficial to say someone is like a chameleon, but I don't mean it in a superficial way. Caelum fits in like a chameleon, true, but then gets to know you deeper than anyone else. And he's only ten! He makes everyone feel comfortable and special. Then he gets all your secrets. I just know that Caelum will be sorted into Slytherin. Wait and see if I'm right.
It's tradition for the Malfoys to spend Christmas Eve with the Malfoy and Greengrass grandparents. We dress formally, eat a seven course meal with proper etiquette, speak with classy language (sometimes in French) , and gracefully open our gifts. Mounds of gifts. On Christmas Day, we spend a quiet day at home. We used to play and read together in the nursery, which was so fun to decorate with a tree and fairy lights and Muggle Christmas music, but everyone is all grown up and serious now. Sometimes Mum takes us to Muggle church. I'm not sure what the plans are this year. I'm sure Father has something in mind. My main concern is getting Cassie to speak to me.
On Boxing Day, we always visit with our adopted family: The Weasleys and the Potters. At the Burrow on Boxing Day, it's crazy, casual, and festive! Everyone brings their favorite dish, so no food coordinates with the other, but it's all delicious. Many students at Hogwarts ask me how our families became friends, and I have to say that I have no idea. Our families have been friends my entire life. I don't remember otherwise, but I do hear stories ... very interesting stories indeed. I suppose one never knows when an enemy can suddenly become a friend. Or vice versa.
I think our celebration of the holidays is a perfect example of the Malfoy balancing act between old and new traditions. Hope your holiday traditions are special too. We will be thinking of you (or not). Happy Christmas!
Love,
The Malfoys
Draco, Astoria, Scorpius, Cassiopeia, Orion, Leo, Gemini (that's me!) and Caelum