IX

[alt_bellatrix]

Professor Sinistra, I've sent you an Owl this morning and I do hope that it has arrived in due course. It mostly includes detailed plans for the project, as well as a copy of the recommendation I penned for you following my observation of your class. Two others that I know of have been recommended for the position as well, but the fact that it is I who am recommending you should put you in good favour, I think. Please look the materials over and do not hesitate to Owl in return if you have any questions.

Along with that business, I've got to meet with Hoppykirk about the changes to the training programme, get her siggy all over everything before passing it on. Harkiss and Dawlish are feeling quite nervous, I believe. As they should be, a pair of lumps like that.

My Lord has asked to be left alone this week. Time spent with the new pet project, no doubt. I only wish to be of service on that count, but if it is solitude He desires, He shall have it. Praise.



Ah, Cissy... we did the charm last week. It's a boy.

Yes, for all of you reading along: I'm pregnant. Almost into the third trimester. All looks safe and well this time, and Hydra is beside herself at the thought of having a brother. A son! I'll have to begin thinking of suitable names right away.

Comments

[alt_bellatrix]

I shall be sure to make the time, Draco was a most excellently dressed baby.

Names... hmm, I wonder if Ophiuchus is too much a mouthful.

Order Only

[alt_poppy]

Oh, for goodness sake! Ophiuchus. When that child arrives at school, he will spend all his time here in the hospital wing with me being patched up from all the beatings he'll take from the upper-years. I can't imagine that even being a Lestrange could protect him from that. Think of the nicknames!

I'd expect Thomas or Marvolo or Little Lord P, but Ophiuchus?


At least he'd come to us knowing how to spell!

Re: Order Only

[alt_mcgonagall]

'Ophiuchus' is hardly the worst she could do. He wouldn't appreciate 'Thomas,' however: he hates anything that reminds him of his childhood.

Re: Order Only

[alt_molly]

What, after all, can we expect from a woman who named her daughter 'Hydra'?

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Just think, she might settle on Apophis.

Tempted to suggest Pythios instead. Or Oedipus.

Deimus?

Re: Order Only

[alt_arthur]

Hmm. I picked up a smattering of Greek when I was first learning Latin (back in the village school, before I came to Hogwarts)... perhaps 'Hybris.' God of hubris, arrogant pride.

Goes so well with Hydra, don't you think?

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

Nah, only if they'd been twins.

I think she ought to cut right to the chase: Diabolus.

Re: Order Only

[alt_molly]

After making a grim joke on the subject myself, I find myself rather uneasy, reading this over again.

After all, each child is supposed to be a new hope for the future. Yes, Bellatrix Lestrange is despicable, but shouldn't the child be permitted to prove himself, setting aside who his parents are?

I just don't want to fall into the enemy's trap, insisting that "blood" tells you all you need to know about a person.

Re: Order Only

[alt_sirius]

You're right, of course - only in this case, the blood in question tells you that the poor kid hasn't much chance. My cousin will ruin the sprog if left entirely to her own devices.

Re: Order Only

[alt_poppy]

You're right, of course: I'm wrong about 'Thomas', aren't I? I had heard that about him. I hate to think what it would bode if she were truly to send us a child named for the Protector. No doubt he would be a terror.

But, Minerva, I've just thought: she shared in the feast, did she not? Imagine the effect of unicorn roast on the child! What sort of monster might she be breeding? It's terrible to contemplate.

[alt_narcissa]

Perhaps as a middle name, dear sister. Cygnus Ophiuchus would do very nicely, I should think.

Come when you like and we'll discuss it. Has Rodolphus any strong opinions?

[alt_bellatrix]

He's only said that perhaps the name might begin with "R," but it's not a strong opinion. He hasn't said, but I think he might've been hoping for a girl. He's said he's going to miss Hydra when she's off to Hogwarts in the autumn.