Adrian Pucey

( charmed very private )

Miles spent the weekend either on his broom or at my heels itching at me to let him spend the night with his friend James. Apparently, James spent the weekend much the same, and this morning Sarah -- his mum -- showed up on my doorstep to see if I'd like to send Miles round sometime. After tea and some discussion, I sent Miles' broom home with Sarah, and an overnight bag, and sent a note to the school to allow him to walk home with James when the day is done.

It seems we've an evening free of children, Ro.

( private to Romilda )

Romilda and I put the girls on the train to Hogwarts this morning. Which means I've met Jason again, as he was there to greet Ana and the two walked onto the train hand in hand. We had the talk before arriving regarding proper behaviour, grades, and what shall happen if she arses up, and I made certain to take some time with Jason as well this morning. I believe he well understands exactly how upset I will be if he takes liberties with my daughter.

Jess, on the other hand, almost flat out refused to get on the train. She's been understandably upset since the explosion and the news about the Lupin boy. But once she spotted the Weasel's daughter, she decided that Hogwarts might be tolerable after all and went off to chatter with her and finally get on the train.

Which leaves Miles, myself, Romilda, and a pair of dogs at home. It will be strange after having the summer as a family.

[Slytherin Quidditch players]
Don't forget the game on Saturday. I'm expecting brilliant performance, and to wipe the pitch with Gryffindor.
[/Slytherin]

They've started making noise at work about travel again, to Spain this time. They've apparently forgotten that I don't actually speak Spanish.

Summer brings more time with the children, or it would, if I weren't stuck in the office constantly. But so far, no injuries among the three of them. Jess is sulking, Miles spent half the day on the roof, and Ana's been camped in front of the fire talking to the Fawcett girl every chance she gets.

Marcus, Malcolm, Montague: I've news.

Slytherin Quidditch + Romilda
We've the Harpies' pitch for practice on Mondays & Thursdays after work, and Sunday afternoons. Expect my children to be about, hoping to convince someone to fly with them instead of the team.

Children are awake in the mornings. Vividly wildly very awake. And first thing in the morning, when I've barely crawled from bed, is Miles' favorite moment to regale me with whatever facts he has most recently learned at school. One would think, after several reminders, he would learn to remain quiet through at least breakfast.

At least he seems to have mostly stopped insisting on speaking to me while I'm in the loo.

[Romilda]: Marc has something he needs to tell myself and Mal in person. Could you handle the kids for a bit tonight until I get home?

It seems I may need to travel to Portugal soon. Apparently family obligation no longer means shite to the Ministry.

( private )

( private to Romilda )

[private to ex-Slytherin Quidditch players]

We have been challenged to a Slytherin/Gryffindor alumni game, to take place on the Harpie's practice pitch. If you're interested, let me know here. I'll be arranging the team for our side, and we've any holes in the team to be patched, I'll need to know as soon as possible.

[/private]

I've just received an owl that Hogwarts is closing down for the week in order to stem the passage of Nogtail Flu. Ana will be arriving home on the express this afternoon and I shall be leaving work early to collect her.

Yes, there was one thing worse I could have gotten Miles for his birthday than the promised broom. Last night Ro and I took him out to pick out his last gift. And of course, he picked the largest one available for adoption.

( introducing Magnus )

I must have been mad. This creature outweighs my son, and thunders through the house like an entire herd of elephants. And yet, it seems terrified of Mr. Raffles, which is rather handy, considering the small size of Mr. Raffles.

Miles claims he now needs a larger bed. Magnus pushed him out of it last night.

My children made gifts for my birthday.

They insist that one is a gift for my office. A framed picture that they put together; a collage of images cut from pictures we've taken over the years surrounding a quite bright number thirty-two. There are pictures of all three children, myself, Romilda, and Solange. It is quite the piece of art.

For the other, they somehow convinced the elves to let them invade the kitchen and baked me a chocolate cake. Complete with an inch thick layer of frosting, and a raggedly written happy birthday dad across the top.

It was sweet enough to kill your average diabetic. Perhaps sweet enough to kill someone who might even have mild issues.

It was brilliant.

Easter was... traumatic, in part, for the children, who were distraught at the events in Hogsmeade. However, Miles managed to make it through another year continuing to resolutely believe in the Easter Bunny, despite Jess's best efforts to let him know otherwise.

private to Marcus

Jess claimed Romilda. I believe, she said (had she actually completed the word which she wisely cut off mid-syllable), "You may be a slag, but you're ours."

/private

Welcome to spring fever. I've just returned to work after a conference at the school, not for one child or the other, but for both.

It seems that spring has invaded and the boys in Miles' class are all antsy and thus, are competing to see who can pull the biggest prank. My son was reprimanded for trying to convince his classmate Abby that her peas made lovely ammunition for a slingshot during lunch. He and his classmates spent the next hour cleaning the cafeteria.

My daughter, on the other hand... Jessamyn was caught kissing one of her best mates (Patrick McClaran) during lunch. Apparently it was a dare, as it was witnessed by the entire class, and there is still some question over whether there was also a bet involved. Again the entire class found itself doing penance for the event, as the headmaster was unable to determine which child instigated the affair, only that Jess and Patrick were indeed following someone else's suggestion.

I find myself surprised not to have received a letter from McGonagall yet. Don't these things come in threes?

( private to Pansy )

( private to Romilda )

( private to Marcus )

( private to Montague )

( private )

private to Alicia
What's this I hear about you displaying your assets in public, Spinett?
/private

Miles is moping. Jess might actually manage to reach the end of her grounding. Ana has now written three times since last weekend asking if both Jordan and Jason can visit over Easter.

The fun never ends.

private to Romilda
I spoke with the children today. Miles says he adores you, Jess is on three weeks house arrest, and Ana informed me that as far as she could tell, nothing had changed since you told her you were my girlfriend weeks ago.

I don't think anything changed.
/private

private to Marcus
Marc, if Jess comes over without you contacting me first, her grounding will be expanded by another week (she's at three already).
/private

What is it that makes children so devilishly awake in the morning? Not to mention that talking while I'm in the loo now includes talking while we're I'm in the shower, with Miles shouting outside the closed the door as if we I could hear him over the running water.

Apparently he just wanted to make sure we were I was aware that Jess had obtained a charm yesterday to temporarily colour her hair as purple as her nails.

Fuck. The entire bloody Ministry is under lockdown. No idea when I'm going to make it home tonight.

Private

There are some nights when the key to being a good father is knowing when not to kill the children.

No matter how tempting it might be.

I begin to understand why my father thrashed me.

/private

Johnson! I need to talk to you about one Scott Sellers, your former teammate.

Private to Padma
Patil, I'm turning into MacMillan, seeing conspiracies in every corner. We should find out which department was affected least... see how much contact they had with our ex-Guantanamoan contingent.

They may have left, but I still don't trust them.
/Private