Owl from Dracaena Malfoy to Catalina Mulciber, dated 23 August 1942...
My dear Senhora Mulciber,
Forgive me, for I know that this is awkward and I have no way to make it less so. My son, Lucius, was invited to your ball on the night of Saturday the twenty-ninth. His mother, Gabrielle Lestrange de Malfois, sent regrets on his behalf, stating that he was in mourning for the death of his father. But this is not true. It was not precisely a lie, for his mother believed it when she wrote to you, but it is still not true. I am Lucius’ father, and I am not dead, so he is not mourning me, and there is no reason he should not go to parties. And Lucius would very much like to accept your kind invitation.
I know this will seem odd to you but I assure you that it is the absolute truth. If you are really prepared to have an eleven-year-old at your ball, I will be happy to send him, as his fiancée, Miss Isabella Zabini, has been invited as well, and she would probably prefer not to leave him behind. I assure you that he will be on his best behaviour and that I will make sure he knows all the rules of etiquette young gentlemen at balls are supposed to observe.
He is the youngest child in our family, and he is friendly with his older cousins and step-siblings and most of their friends, so he will be among people he knows. I understand that your son Dylan is quite fond of him.
Very sincerely yours,
Dracaena Aranxta Malfoy é Zabini
Lord Malfoy