Owl Post: Harry Potter [Regarding, well, *that* subject]
Dear Harry,
It seems our discussion has been rather a moot point. I have since discovered that Niko took it upon himself to make our arrangement more permanent than I realised. Or intended.
I happened upon a certain scroll, which Niko insists that I stole, but as it pertains to me as far as I'm concerned it's as much mine as his, not to mention I ought to have known about this in the first place.
I - I just can't believe it.
.
.
.
I suppose I can tell you -- but mum's the word! Until I figure out what to do about all this.
That scroll contained a copy of a marriage contract. Apparently Niko and I have been married since June 19th (the very day Ron completed his Auror exam, not a coincidence given whom he's listed as his next of kin). And, yes, I verified it a thousand times: it is my signature on the contract. Don't ask how he got it; you don't want to know.
Needless to say I was rather upset. I went home immediately and found he wasn't there, so I waited for him in my study. I lit only a single candle, because I needed to think just what to do.
My first thought was to file for an immediate divorce, and if he wanted to marry me in the future he could beg and I might even consider it. But there were - there are - political ramifications to this mess. Serious ones.
I heard him come home, call my name and race up the stairs, skipping steps as he does. He knocked and opened the door --
-- and froze when he saw what I had in my hand. I held it out and just... couldn't say anything. Of all the unmitigated gall. He offered no excuses, just stood there like a child bravely awaiting punishment, chin raised.
Finally I told him: "I want a ring."
He nodded mutely, eyes dark and not leaving my face. There was another pause.
"And you owe me a wedding night."
"Now?" he asked.
"No. I'm far too angry with you at the moment. Usually people ask."
"You would say no," Niko said. Which was true enough.
He stood there uncomfortably, shifting somewhat. Then he dug in his pocket and shuffled forward - which, frankly, was more than I would do under the circumstances. He set in front of me an ornate gold ring, and then quietly left.
He had it with him. How long had he been carrying that around, Harry? Since June? Earlier? It makes a difference to me if it was before. Though I'm not wearing it until I have it thoroughly checked for curses.
He now admits that he was going to tell me at Lucius' party, but then we had a fight and then he couldn't.
Niko is in the proverbial doghouse, to be sure. He has wisely made himself scarce this week.
I'm taking the opportunity to do a little research and find out what else he's done. I'm currently traveling about "Lieutva," making an attempt to shore up a bit of a... political problem.
Thus far I've been completely stymied. These slavic people are close-mouthed lot, and I'm an outsider to boot. The fact that Niko seems to have annoyed everyone makes my task just that much more difficult.
I can only hope that a certain young lady I rescued from Niko's staff last winter will be willing to help. Oh, I'm so frustrated with him! And the room service is terrible in these parts. I think I've grown used to the standards of the Wizengamot.
Yours,
Percy
It seems our discussion has been rather a moot point. I have since discovered that Niko took it upon himself to make our arrangement more permanent than I realised. Or intended.
I happened upon a certain scroll, which Niko insists that I stole, but as it pertains to me as far as I'm concerned it's as much mine as his, not to mention I ought to have known about this in the first place.
I - I just can't believe it.
.
.
.
I suppose I can tell you -- but mum's the word! Until I figure out what to do about all this.
That scroll contained a copy of a marriage contract. Apparently Niko and I have been married since June 19th (the very day Ron completed his Auror exam, not a coincidence given whom he's listed as his next of kin). And, yes, I verified it a thousand times: it is my signature on the contract. Don't ask how he got it; you don't want to know.
Needless to say I was rather upset. I went home immediately and found he wasn't there, so I waited for him in my study. I lit only a single candle, because I needed to think just what to do.
My first thought was to file for an immediate divorce, and if he wanted to marry me in the future he could beg and I might even consider it. But there were - there are - political ramifications to this mess. Serious ones.
I heard him come home, call my name and race up the stairs, skipping steps as he does. He knocked and opened the door --
-- and froze when he saw what I had in my hand. I held it out and just... couldn't say anything. Of all the unmitigated gall. He offered no excuses, just stood there like a child bravely awaiting punishment, chin raised.
Finally I told him: "I want a ring."
He nodded mutely, eyes dark and not leaving my face. There was another pause.
"And you owe me a wedding night."
"Now?" he asked.
"No. I'm far too angry with you at the moment. Usually people ask."
"You would say no," Niko said. Which was true enough.
He stood there uncomfortably, shifting somewhat. Then he dug in his pocket and shuffled forward - which, frankly, was more than I would do under the circumstances. He set in front of me an ornate gold ring, and then quietly left.
He had it with him. How long had he been carrying that around, Harry? Since June? Earlier? It makes a difference to me if it was before. Though I'm not wearing it until I have it thoroughly checked for curses.
He now admits that he was going to tell me at Lucius' party, but then we had a fight and then he couldn't.
Niko is in the proverbial doghouse, to be sure. He has wisely made himself scarce this week.
I'm taking the opportunity to do a little research and find out what else he's done. I'm currently traveling about "Lieutva," making an attempt to shore up a bit of a... political problem.
Thus far I've been completely stymied. These slavic people are close-mouthed lot, and I'm an outsider to boot. The fact that Niko seems to have annoyed everyone makes my task just that much more difficult.
I can only hope that a certain young lady I rescued from Niko's staff last winter will be willing to help. Oh, I'm so frustrated with him! And the room service is terrible in these parts. I think I've grown used to the standards of the Wizengamot.
Yours,
Percy