purestblood: No subject.

Yesterday was a quite adequate birthday. The house-elves sang "Happy Birthday" to me in notes that only dogs can hear. I do believe some of the Romanian crystal is cracked. Narcissa arranged for a most sumptuous breakfast in bed, and presented me with quite an array of fall fashions. I must say that the fall colors do complement the Malfoy coloring, and Kenneth Troll has come up with some very innovative designs. Narcissa, as always, has impeccable taste and a most discerning eye. Later we Apparated to Egypt for a dinner under the Arabian skies. She knows me so well. Draco has not sent anything; it is, however, entirely possible that his owl got lost. It's not unheard of.

My colleagues, of course, sent their best wishes, and a few tokens. My supervisor cheered me with news of a most ambitious undertaking, one in which I am to be a key player, and one that is entirely in keeping with our philosophy. The results, while drastic, will be quite rewarding and we are all most anxious to proceed. Collateral damage is to be expected. Sad, but an unfortunate reality.

It is good to have my Cissa back, but it isn't the same as it was before. We still laugh at the old jokes--the sight of that old woman's leg sticking out of the giant Venus Flytrap still sends us into hysterics--but there's a distance now that wasn't there before. I'm uncertain now as to her needs and how best to fulfill them. She's happier now than she was when she first arrived, but there's a look in her eye that speaks of desires unfulfilled, and I daresay they are desires that have nothing to do with me.

I pull out her wedding ring from time to time and seeing it brings back so many memories. Watching her walk down the aisle, that hideous seafoam green hat her mother wore, the giant spiders terrorizing those aurors, the champagne, her face when I said my vows... all in all, a day full of memories that can't be easily categorized.

I want to give her what she wants. I don't know what that is anymore. I'm very afraid that I won't ever be able to find out. She came back to me, but can I keep her?

Nothing can be easily categorized any more, can it?

potterstinks @ 2003-09-25 04:21 pm UTC

Father,

I sent your gift on the precise day of your birthday, though it was far too heavy for just one owl, so I was forced to borrow three school owls to assist in carrying the weight. I do hope none of the owls have dropped dead with the weight of it, though of course, I imagine it may take a few days to arrive even if they haven't, as they'll likely need to rest. They don't make owls like they used to.

Your pride and joy,
Draco