(Untitled)

[minister_lupin]

I had a surprise this week when the elderly Muggle lady I've become friendly with over shared walks along the river near my cottage asked if I would like to stop by and watch the Wimbledon final. She's a mothering sort and has had me round to tea often enough that the invitation in itself wasn't unusual. Neither of us had ever expressed an interest

Comments

[jmff]

Did you not stick around to watch the football then, Sir?

[minister_lupin]

None of us like footie, and conversation became a bit difficult once the 800-lb gorilla in the room made his presence felt.

How did your parties go?

[jmff]

Mother (shockingly dressed as La Goulue) seemed thrilled to have me there, despite being dressed like a Tahitian maiden. She led me round and introduced me to all her friends, telling them how clever I was.

She's up to something.

[minister_lupin]

Remind me who La Goulue is? I'm afraid I'm not very up on art, wizarding or otherwise.

But I do hope someone took pictures.

And perhaps someone has a niece they'd like her to fix you up with?

[jmff]

La Goulue was a cancan dancer at the Moulin Rouge who ended up drinking herself into obscurity and then death. Touluse-Lautrec painted her a lot.

Sadly, my sister did not dress up as Touluse-Lautrec, but that turned out for the best, because Lord Renton did. However he declined to walk around on his knees.

And I sincerely doubt that.

[minister_lupin]

Your mother dressed up as an infamous tart with a cross-dressing Tahitian maiden on her arm and was the soul of kindness itself.

I'm not sure what to make of that, actually. Was she trying to impress this Lord Renton chap?

[jmff]

I don't know what to make of it either. She wasn't trying to impress anyone - she doesn't need to. And besides, Lord Renton wasn't the only peer there.

Perhaps my father's death has finally hit her? Is three years of denial normal?

[minister_lupin]

The question I should probably be asking is what they made of you.

And as far as I know, denial can last for much longer than that.

[jmff]

I've no idea what they made of me and to be honest I really don't care. The ladies thought I was charming and the men all asked me about my education and what I was planning on doing with my life - then offered their suggestions. Did you know they allow poofs in Parliament now? Shocking.

I suppose you're right. But I really don't think that's it. Mother isn't the sentimental type.

[minister_lupin]

Some of them are even ministers, apparently.

What do you think her radical departure from form is all about, then?

[jmff]

Yes, but most of them are Labour and my mother doesn't associate with them.

I've no idea, actually. That's why I think she's up to something.