Settling into the routine

[alt_percy]

I've been here enough days to draw a deep breath and take stock of what's happened so far. I feel extraordinarily lucky to have had this opportunity and I've already learned so much.

Mr Malfoy's St James' offices are indeed a very pleasant place to work, and Mr Crispin, Mr Malfoy's personal secretary, has been entirely kind and helpful. I share an office with him, overlooking the quiet tree-lined square outside. I am most impressed with Mr Crispin's breadth of knowledge and the myriad ways that he makes himself useful to a man of Mr Malfoy's standing. Being a personal secretary does not mean merely scribing letters and reports. No, indeed! There are so many people vying--quite rightly--for Mr Malfoy's precious time and attention, and so much information that flows through his office. An effective personal secretary needs to help sort out which people must be seen immediately and which turned away, and he needs to triage the reports, memoranda, articles, media, correspondence, etcetera, somehow distilling the information down so that it is available at Mr Malfoy's fingertips at a moment's notice. Sometimes the pace seems quite brisk--I never saw a place that received so many owls or floo calls--but somehow Mr Crispin manages to keep track of everything. He assures me that it all becomes easier with practice.

I have had the opportunity to meet so many exceedingly interesting people. Directors of various corporate boards, officers at the Ministry, members of the Court at Buckingham, and, of course, always the press. This week has had additional activity, what with the family wedding this weekend. Mrs Malfoy stopped earlier today, to have lunch with Mr Malfoy. I had never met her before, but she could not have been more gracious. I can certainly see why she is considered one of the most important hostesses of society.

It is always a rather curious feeling to leave each Friday. After the week spent here, at the heart of the Protectorate, the Burrow always seems strangely...remote.

Comments

[alt_bill]

I was glad to have the opportunity to have lunch with you Wednesday. Shall we make it a weekly thing?

[alt_percy]

I enjoyed it, too. It makes me think of what it might be like when I'm out of school and we're both working in London. Of course I'd like to do it again. Well, as long as you can be flexible. Sometimes, if things get busy, lunch must get be pushed back a bit.

[alt_bill]

Flexibility is my middle name.

[alt_percy]

Funny, I thought it was 'Arthur.'

[alt_bill]

Oh, very humorous.

Order Only

[alt_bill]

Oh, to be a fly on that wall, reading Crispin's correspondence over his shoulder....

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Try not to drool all over Percy's desk when you drop by to visit.

Re: Order Only

[alt_bill]

Blimey, it just about kills me, Dad. What the Order wouldn't give to have a man right in Lucius Malfoy's outer office! But it doesn't do us a bloody bit of good because it's...Percy.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

I know, son, I know. Still, he may yet come around.

I'm sure you'll be very careful during those lunch conversations. But anything you can glean about his state of mind, your mother and I would be glad to hear. He might be more open about talking about certain opinions with a brother than with his parents.

Re: Order Only

[alt_bill]

I don't like it, the feeling that I'm almost spying upon him. I wish we could trust him.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Believe me, your mum and I don't like it, either.

[alt_arthur]

Your mum and I are equally pleased that things are working out so well for you, son. And we're very glad that your talent is being recognised, so that you can have an opportunity like this.

[alt_penelope]

If the Burrow seems remote then I suppose you'll have no interest in spending any time at mine anytime soon.

[alt_percy]

What's got

Now what in Merlin's name could have given you an idea like that? Of course I'm looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

[alt_penelope]

Oh, of course you are. And I suppose I'll have to make an effort to be more gracious?

Some of us can't go out and get silk ties just because we feel like it.

[alt_percy]

I certainly hope that the ice cream at Fortescue's will cheer you up. I don't know what might have made you vexed with me, but you sound as though you could use some cheering.

[alt_penelope]

I suppose you're right. My father has been driving me right round the twist lately.

But your last owl made it sound as if I just don't want to be an embarrassment, I guess.

[alt_percy]

An embarrassment!?

You DO need ice cream. At least I hope that copious amounts of Paracelsus praline chocolate will work to dispel totally daft ideas like that.

[alt_lana]

Good on you, Weasley, for landing such a plum appointment.

[alt_percy]

I'm feeling my luck every day, I assure you.

I must say heartfelt congratulations to you in turn upon your induction in the Daughters of the Protectorate. That's certainly quite a special honour.

[alt_zacharias]

Wot? Don't you go home every night, not just on Fridays?

[alt_percy]

Oh, I go home every night, yes, of course. I only meant that the weekends seem so quiet in comparison. Away from all that humming activity in the center of things, you understand.

[alt_zacharias]

Oh, yeah. Okay. Now I get it. I just thought...you made it sound so busy that I thought maybe they made you stay overnight or something. (That'd be sort of cool, though. I heard Aurors sometimes sleep at the Ministry, and Healers sometimes stay at St Mungo's, too, don't they? When they're very very busy?)

[alt_percy]

I believe there have been occasions when Mr Crispin has had to work late hours, when there are breaking news stories that affect the upper levels of government, or during certain ceremonial Court occasions. There are three floors above the public area, with a suite for Mr Malfoy, if he chooses to stay the night, and guest rooms, as well as chambers that were originally for servants above that. So if need be, there are places where staff can kip for a few hours, out of the way. But that's certainly unusual. Mr Crispin says that a mark of an excellent civil servant is knowing how to use the allotted work day sensibly, without either rushing or idling away the hours.

Although I must say that he can get a remarkable amount of work done in one day.

[alt_ron]

Mr Crispin says this,

Mr Crispin says that,

Mr Crispin says you're a silly git

With a silly, gitty hat.

Order Only

[alt_bill]

Oh, that was rather unwise.

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

I'm dealing with it.

[alt_pansy]

I'm so glad you're getting on well. Crispin is awfully helpful, isn't he? I hope I wasn't too much of a bother banging around St James and all while you two were trying your level best to actually get work done. I do miss it there, though. I mean, Scotland is well enough I guess, but London is London, you know?