A week in New London

[alt_percy]

I am genuinely grateful to my brother Bill for putting me up in his flat this week, to give me an opportunity to look around New London a bit. And my brother Charlie's here now, too! It's wonderful to see him again, and he's looking good, barring the usual singed patches. It seems like we've been all over the city. New London is certainly looking splendid, with all of the renovation that's been going on. Much more green space, and of course, much less crowded that London has been historically, I understand. Truly, this is the way a city is supposed to be!

I had been rather, well, reclusive during my last week at Hogwarts and rather thought I'd be in the same mood this week. But Bill took me the first day to see the Protectorate Retrospective: The First Decade, an exhibition at University College. It was so interesting I was quite seized by an interest in history that's got us out and walking to see the sites around London almost every day this week. We took one of the pre-arranged tours on Tuesday, but then on Wednesday night we went on our own to see Protector's Square, and the Triumphal Arch in Green Park, and so on.

I took Penny to the New London Philharmonic on Wednesday night, using the tickets that Mr Malfoy had so kindly provided. It was a world premiere, the Albion Symphony, by Eustace Euphonious. I freely admit that my knowledge of music is rudimentary at best, but even to my amateur ear, the performance was splendid. Very moving. I was so glad to be able to share it with Penny.

Penny also joined the three of us today when we went to see the gardens at Kensington. I had started to feel that perhaps I'd been a bit too ambitious with the walking tours, but that was certainly worth the trip, a highlight of the entire week.

I've tried to squeeze in a few visits with friends and acquaintances. Mr Crispin, my mentor from my internship last summer with Mr Malfoy, was gracious enough to meet me for breakfast this morning, and I had lunch with Ned Pennifold earlier in the week.

Still, it'll be a nice change to be sitting still tomorrow. Bill's gotten us tickets to see the Wimbourne Wasps play the Appleby Arrows.

Comments

[alt_hydra]

My Aunt and Uncle live at Kensington, some of the time.

Well, I suppose you probably knew that.

Sometimes I think I'd rather live at Kensington than St. James Palace because I like the gardens there better, and also because I'm afraid that I might see Bloody Mary here someday.

Mu Someone told me that's a silly thing to be afraid of because Bloody Mary was a muggle queen who burned witches and wizards and she wouldn't become a ghost, and even if she did, she wouldn't DARE show her face to us.

But her heart and bowels are buried in the Chapel Royal, doesn't knowing that just give you the chills?

But even though Kensington gardens are so beautiful, St. James park is so wild and lush and I like the duck island, and then there's Buckingham, right across way by the Lord Protector's memorial gardens.

So that's nice.

From,
Hydra

[alt_penelope]

Oh, he knows it. In fact, we almost didn't get to go through because there was a longish queue and the security measures have been increased, but Percy explained that he knows Mr and Mrs Malfoy personally and that he even worked for Mr Malfoy last summer, and they let us in.

The gardens are really beautiful, and Mr Cooper's sculptural elements make them even more special. I loved the tree that grows from a sapling to a 100-year oak in about three minutes. And back, of course. Have you been to see them since your Aunt had them installed?

I do think that a traumatic enough death could make even a muggle leave some traces, but I've never heard of a corporeal ghost who wasn't a witch or wizard in life. Whoever told you there's no spectre to be afraid of is right, Lestrange. Have you been to the chapel itself? That might help dispel your misgivings.

How are you recovering, by the way? Well, I hope. Percy told me a little about what happened and it must have been quite unnerving.

[alt_hydra]

Yes, we went for supper just recently, and Aunt Narcissa let me go to the gardens because she knows that I like them very much. The mushrooms that pop up from the ground to make a path are my favourite.

We go in there for some things, like naming ceremonies, and to look at the Black family tree that my parents had put into the stained glass windows. I stay away from the choir stalls, though, because that's where her heart is.

I'm doing well, thank you.

From,
Hydra

[alt_percy]

I hadn't seen the mushroom path. What a nice, whimsical idea. I'll have to look for it, if I get back to the gardens again.

I'm very glad you're doing well, Miss Lestrange.

[alt_hydra]

It's a bit hidden, you have to know where to look.

I hope that you are doing well, too.

It sounds like you might be.

From,
Hydra

Private Message to Percy

[alt_penelope]

It's been really special, hasn't it? I hope your brothers aren't too upset that I've tagged along so much.

Re: Private Message to Percy

[alt_percy]

They've liked meeting you. Both of them have said so.

Re: Private Message to Percy

[alt_percy]

I only wish--I don't want you to think

I mean, if I were in New London on my own, you understand, I would have very much liked to take you up your offer, about the hotel.

Re: Private Message to Percy

[alt_penelope]

No, it's okay, Perce. I figured you might not want to have to explain anything to them. Or that they'd get the wrong idea, like we're, I dunno. Doing more than just holding each other.

I can't wait until we can share a flat properly, though.

Of course, my father will probably still get the wrong end of the wand, but so long as you're prepared for that!

[alt_bill]

It's been a fun week, Perce. You know what they always say about living in a city: you only bother to see the sights yourself when you've got visitors to show around. Would you believe I'd never seen Kensington Gardens myself before now?

Order Only

[alt_bill]

Mum and Dad:

It's certainly been illuminating.

I think that for Percy, a week in New London was definitely the right idea. He was very quiet when he first arrived, but I think the exercise from all the sight-seeing has been good for him, and now he's definitely coming out of his shell. We're spending more time with his girlfriend than I expected, but that's no hardship. Charlie and I both like her, and she's obviously concerned about him. Mum, I hope you get more of a chance to see her this summer, but based on a few remarks Percy's dropped, I suspect you will. They seem to be quite serious about each other.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that it's crystal clear to me that you can't breathe even a hint of your involvement with the Order to him. His loyalties are solidifying, and I'm afraid your fears were justified. Listening to his comments made when we were looking at that historical exhibition was nauseating. He's swallowing the regime's propaganda hook line and sinker. I think part of the problem is that he idolises that berk, Lucius Malfoy. It's not so much what Lucius represents, understand. He hasn't thought very deeply about it. But he's dazzled by the man's money, his influence, the fact that he's at the center of power.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Thanks for the report Bill. I'm glad that there have been some benefits to your idea to put him up for the week. As for the rest...I'm very sorry to hear it, but as you say, it's what your mother and I feared.

Has he unburdened himself any about what happened with Carrow?

Re: Order Only

[alt_bill]

I've probed a little--very gingerly--about the aftereffects of using the Imperius. He admitted about what happened after that scene when you caught him trying to cast Crucio. I know you were relieved when he said he wouldn't try casting it anymore. But I think that's because being a sadist doesn't tempt him at all. Carrow revolted him--but perversely, that sense of his own superiority is what made it easier for him to cast Imperius. Aside from the general horror of what happened, he was shaken when he cast Imperius, but I suspect not in the same way as when he tried Crucio.

He hasn't said so, and I'm not sure he's entirely articulated it to himself. But I'm beginning to wonder whether what really shook him about it was that he liked it.

No, the temptation to cause pain isn't what's going to get Percy into trouble.

It's the temptation of power.