Narcissa,

It's been far too long since we've last spoken with one another, cousin. It's a pity we weren't able to really talk at the last Slytherin party, but then again, no one was really doing much talking anyway.

I'm sure your classes are going nothing short of excellent so I won't bother asking about them in general. However, I can't help but wonder... How is History of Magic going for you? Has Binns noticed that you may be the only one who's always actually paying attention--and not dozing off--in who-knows-how-many years?

Evan

Dear Evan,

Mon beau ami... It is not my fault that you completely ignored me at the last Slytherin party and instead talked to my wonderful but far too studious sister. Although I do think you took the time to tell me that my dress était charmante, so maybe I will forgive you.

Excellent... es una broma, sí? Classes are dull of course, though NEWT levels are a little more interesting and they do weed out the useless idiots. As for History of Magic, you of all people should realize that Binns lives... or, resides anyway... in his own little world. Maybe it's because he's dead. But he wouldn't notice if I threw my book into the air and began to dance around the classroom, so he's not going to notice if I pay attention. Which I don't. Unless he says something interesting that I don't know which is very very rarely. Right now, instead of paying attention, I am reading La Magie de la Rennaissance and, of course, writing this note to you!

-Narcissa

PS: Really though, you must come sit with me at the next party. We'll have tons of fun talking nonsense in languages no one else understands, and I'll find a nice, pretty friend for you too.

Dear Narcissa,

Ah, yes. I do admit the fault is all mine for being so enraptured by your admirable sister, and je suis desolé that it came across that I was ignoring you. Your sister held my attention hostage, but the sight of you in that dress was what rescued it. You have such an eye for the most entrancing dresses. How could I not compliment it?

Now that you brought up one sister, I can't help but inquire about the other one. How is Bellatrix doing?

I meant that you are doing well in your classes. It's no doubt son aburridos; mine are as well, but that's nothing new. Haha, now that's something to imagine -- You dancing around a classroom. It may not get Binns' attention, but you'd definitely not be lacking in other people looking... You know, I would hate to be a ghost. That's probably why Binns is so absorbed in his own little world; this one bores him too much.

Well, je t'en suis tres reconnaisant that you're taking the time out of your oh-so-exciting Binns lecture to get back to me! And how are you enjoying that read so far?

I most certainly will, you can count that. It's always so much fun to watch the confusion spread, especially when we keep switching up the languages. Oh? Well, you'll have me wondering all this time which friend of yours I'll be meeting. I can't wait to see who you come up with.

Evan

Dear Evan,

Yes, Andy is very admirable. And boring and serious. Or at least she is lately. All she thinks about is NEWTs. I hope while you were sitting with her you took many opportunities to refill her glass because what we really need to do is get her very very very tipsy...

Bella... is Bella. She is alright. She is still seeing Rodolphus Lestrange, but they aren't engaged yet, and if you ask me, are taking their sweet time about it. I don't know what's wrong with Rodolphus, really; if he had any sense, he'd have asked her by now and I'd already have a little niece or nephew on the way. But no...

Pero... Si yo bailaría en mi clase de historia de magia, no le interesare muchas personas, porque no hay muchas personas en la clase. Y es cierto que Binns vive en el mundo del pasado, pero no sé si es porque este mundo lo aburre. [But... if I dance in my History of Magic class, few people will be interested because there are not many people in the class. And it's true Binns lives in the world of the past, but I don't know if that is because this world bores him].

You should definitely be excited. Je suis une fille très occupée, vous savez. In addition to writing to you, I am also working very hard daydreaming about possible dress designs. Oh and the book is very good. It talks about court magicians, their influence on art, their struggles against nonmagical "scientists", but also a few interesting collaborations, a little about peasant witchcraft, especially holiday traditions, the rise of some magical families through profits from trade (magical families had an inherent advantage) and eventually I believe it'll talk about the segregation of magical families from the rest of the aristocracy. Anyway, definitely more interesting than Binns.

It's definitely fun to switch up the languages. I love the expressions that appear on people's faces when they think you've insulted them, but they can't be sure, and have no idea how to reply anyway. Oh and friends... hm... I shall have to think on it. Obviously someone beautiful and intelligent. (Unless you just want a fling and then I can line up a couple pretty, brainless little 5th years.) Do you like blondes?

-Narcissa

Dear Narcissa,

Oh, NEWTs, I can't wait to get those over with. Strange to think they're coming up so soon, but once they do, you should have your sister back at the very least. Truthfully, I don't remember if I did or not. I might have. I know my glass was never empty so I can't imagine why hers wouldn't have been either. But I like the way you think. She needs an outlet, and it is our duty as sister and cousin, respectively, to find one for her, oui?

Oh dear. Well, I'm sure he must have a reason for taking so long.

Es verdad. Good point. If I was a ghost, I'd be bored with whatever world I was stuck in too.

Estás trabajando en muchas cosas! Une fille très occupée en effet. I would like to see those designs sometime if you put them to paper. Hmm, very intriguing. It's odd to think of a time when there wasn't so much secrecy and what life must have been like for everyone before the hunts came into play.

Indeed! And then you just smile afterwards so it only makes them more uncertain for how to respond. I'd prefer intelligent as ditzes only last so long interest-wise, and I'd hate to insult one of your friends like that. I do like blondes. Do you have someone in mind already?

Evan

Dear Evan,

NEWTs are pointless. I don't know why anyone studies for them unless they are poor. Or maybe if they are ugly and a girl. But Andy is neither of those things. I guess she just wants to live up to the Black family name.

Don't say that! I hope he's just slow. Like hesitant to commit or something.

Ah, I shall do much better than to put them to paper. Cuando ves a mis ideas, las verás en vestidos reales. If I can figure out how to cut the patterns right. I've gotten the hang of altering dresses, but it's more difficult to create them from scratch.

I think it's weird just to think of living with muggles. Or near muggles. Even wealthy, wellbred muggles...

I have an idea of a girl... But I'm not going to tell you who. You'll have to find out for yourself! Much more fun that way.

-Narcissa

Dear Narcissa,

I'm sure that's it. She could also just be using her studies in order to keep busy, I suppose. Not the best distraction, I admit, but who knows?

Wouldn't that count as being a reason for having not asked yet though?

Either way, no puedo esperar a verlos. I can see that. Why not hire a dressmaker for the sake of watching how they go about cutting patterns?

So very true. A muggle's a muggle no matter what they look like. Just like a pig's a pig no matter how it's dressed.

Aww, you're too cruel. I can deduce that she's blonde though, unless you purposefully put in that question in your last note to throw me off... Will she know you're setting her up with me or will it be a surprise on her end as well? Just so I know that if I go up to one of your friends, thinking this is the girl you're thinking of, and she has no idea what I'm talking about, I know I obviously picked wrong.

Evan