Andromeda

[Hexed Private, though those close to her can read it]

I've only just met him and he's already going off and getting married and having a little one of his own. All it does is make me feel guilty all over again for missing the most important moments of his life. First teeth, first steps, all those things you want to know about the very second it happens.

I know, short of using one hell of a Time Turner, there's nothing I can do to get that back. All I can do is be supportive of him and Pansy both and hope they'll let me be a part of this new little one's life. It's a scary thought. Makes me wish Dora would get on this baby thing [/Hex]

Ah, the holiday season. Time to get to shopping, I'm afraid. I love shopping, but it does wear me out quickly these days. Not as young a shopper as I used to be. Though if anyone wants anything specific, letting me know might be advisable.

[Hexed MOSTLY Private--close friends and family can read]

I can't help it. I read the things that poor girl says, and I know it could've been me. I know Narcissa is happy in her marriage, and Bella was, too, for whatever it was worth. Or at least satisfied. But I wouldn't have been. I know the men they had lined up for me. I couldn't have lived with that. And maybe it was disobedient, and maybe I'll never get the chance to tie up those loose ends with my parents. Maybe they did look down on me until their final breaths because of it. But I couldn't have lived with that cage my whole life. I don't know how anyone can survive that.

She's all alone. And I know there's nothing I can do to help, even if her parents did remember me, they certainly wouldn't listen to me, of all people. But it's painful to read knowing how close it all came to being my own life. To think there might have been a life without Ted and without Dora and instead with some miserable old man who only looks at you as some sort of broodmare. All because that's the life your parents have chosen for you.

Bugger.

[Hexed Against Ministry Supporters--and Students--And Mandy, too...that's it, we think]

THE NERVE OF HIM. Rude against those who EMPLOY her? Dora's taken great care not to insult the damnedable Ministry where they could bloody well read it. HIS daughter lashes out in a news article for all to read and it's MY daughter with the loud mouth?

I've good in mind to hex his bollocks off I swear I would, too, if he didn't have so much damn pull with teh bloody Ministry. Fine, believe what you want to believe, but don't pull my child into it unnecessarily.

--I need to clean. Now. Ted, how does the living room look?

I don't suppose I need to say that the new Winter Wutherington book is, by far, my favourite of the lot. How could it not be, wizards hiding as muggles, foreign travels, the mysterious stranger who arrives in the middle of the night... It's poised to be a classic. And I have Ms. Wutherington this close (imagine me holding my thumb and my index finger so close they're almost touching!) to making an appearance in the shop. So if you've read it and you love it, send her a few fan owls, let's hope it's enough to get her in.

I've also decided I officially will take gardening over baking. I'll grow the carrots, Ted can put them in a cake.

[Hexed to Dora]

I really do need to give your aunt an answer, love. She's asked about you again, and, well, aren't you the least bit curious? I think it'd be good for you both. And Draco, too, you can't exactly adore him and ignore her, now can you?

One meal, sweetheart. That's all I ask.

[Hexed Private - Ted can read]

How dare she?? How dare she presume to know a thing about Dora? She's the one who wrote us off, she's the one who never bothered to get to know her. Dora would never. I'm not even asking her. It's ridiculous to think it. She may work for the Ministry, but she's not their little plaything. She wouldn't dare let her holidays be ruined. If she didn't want him around, she wouldn't take him.

I am not condemning her befriending Draco. If she wants to do it and he's willing, why in Salazar's name would I stop them? She's a grown woman, she's allowed to make her own decisions. I am not about to let my foolish baby sister put down what could be an incredible thing for them both. [/Hex]

[Hexed to Dora]

Has Draco agreed to join you over winter holidays, then? [/Hex]

21 shopping days left. Part of me truly adores this time of year. It's a brilliant time to go into muggle London, too, as everything's decorated and everyone genuinely seems happy. And there's so much more to celebrate this year that being around Diagon Alley isn't nearly as dreary. It almost reminded me of the old days, you know?

Which reminds me, I need to purchase Celestina's new album. Yes, it's another Christmas special, and yes, they're actually quite dreadful, but I can't seem to walk away from them.

( Hexed Private )

I've just finished The Wizards of Appleton Gardens. For the eighth time. Guilty pleasure. It's not real literature, I know, but it's brilliant. A strong heroine, a beautiful younger sister, and a parade of dashing men where you never know who's going to wind up with who. A wizard's version of Pride and Prejudice, you might say. I love it, I must admit.

Now for laundry. Why is it always time for laundry? I thought the pile was supposed to decrease once Dora moved out. No, forget it. No laundry. It's time to make muffins, instead. Maybe I'll take some into work with me.

You would think a woman surrounded by cookbooks all day would be able to...I don't know...cook? Never quite got the hang of it, really, not as well as I'd like. Oh, sure, Ted and Dora and I never exactly starved, mind you. Signature dishes and help from Ted certainly worked. Let's face it, we're a slightly progressive couple at times, but I am more than willing to admit I'd rather do the laundry and the cleaning than take a stab at a chicken marinara.

So, that said, Dora love, were you planning on joining us for dinner sometime, I don't know, ever? Don't suppose you feel like playing test subject for the beef stroganoff, do you? No? Was worth a try, really.

And no, Doris Dunkirk, I don't plan on getting Celestina Warbeck in the store to promote her new book. Mainly because she's not writing a book! Yet, at least. And whoever started that rumour will face my wrath.

I think I rather enjoy reading these things more than writing in them. We'll see. It makes a great place to store your to-do list, I think.

[Private]
And if we just take a moment to not focus on my sister's blabberings on, we'll be just fine. So long as Ted quits giving me that look every time she writes. I'd rather read Draco's writings any day.