love was made to forget it

DROPBOX FOR LETTERS/QUESTIONS FOR ASK EDWINA

Post as your character or an NPC letters of advice. Names withheld, pseudonyms used in place (similar to Dear Abby). Seriously, silly, pretty much anything goes!

Thanks so much.

[PRIVATE]

This time next year I am determined to be married. Or courting someone. I am not going through the holidays alone. It suggests that I am going to be dried up and bitter. NOT TO MENTION it is MURDER on my skin. Stress is like that.

Everyone is going to jail or dying. No one looks good in black at Christmas. It's dour and too many go for the velvet. Never go for the velvet.

I'm not certain I'm alri

They should have told me Father was a

My thoughts are with all of those who are facing hardship yet again, attention whores. Hopefully a little something will make the season bright. That is all that can be hoped for.

Now I must go make certain that Stewart isn't stealing the eggnog. And that Sylvia stays away from my wardrobe.

Oh Family. I am so lucky to have them.

All of this "people are dying" and "people are needlessly going to jail" nonsense is truly putting a damper on my enjoyment of the start of the social season. Do you know how hard it is to find a decent hair dresser or decorator when there is all of this whispering going on? Nearly impossible.

I hope everything shapes up or else the season will be wholly ruined. Now that would be terrible.

I am OUTRAGED and deeply saddened. Anyone who believes that rubbish and grievous slander about my father is CLEARLY under some sort of confundus charm and should seek immediate medical treatment.

People are supposed to be better than this, but clearly most are liars.

[WARDED PRIVATE]

I think I need to have one of those strange witches who does cleansings of the aura and the like to come around. I am feeling as if my energies are just so blocked up lately. Is there an excess of bad feelings in the air? Or is it simply a bad head cold?

Or perhaps not. Sage smells terrible.

In light of the recent events my Ask Edwina column for this week will be delayed until Saturday morning. I apologise to all of my loyal readers, but there are many both in my life and in the lives of those in our community who have had a hard time of it. I am respecting them and their need for time. Thank you all so much.

[WARDED TO ELLIOT]

Now that I have had some time to process it I have to ask: did you know that Demetrius was a Death Eater? Is that why you didn't like him? Or was it simply his general demeanor, which I also understand.

Is there something you're not telling me?

[WARDED TO MOTHER]

I have a question. It's about Father and I would have asked it sooner but it only just started to irritate me.

[WARDED PRIVATE]

I think I've decided to take up some sort of animal husbandry and marry a foreigner.

Demetrius Gibbons isn't even a good liar. And he has terrible hair. Ugh. Mrs Meliflua is a good role model after all.

[WARDED TO VIVIANNE AVERY]

Mother, do you think that you and I could take tea sometime shortly? I have all manner of things to discuss with you. It has truly been too long.

[WARDED TO PURIST WOMEN]

I cannot believe that those vagabonds got married before I did. They're so outrageous and uncultured and I don't care that they're all having a little fit.

This means that I am going to die a spinster, doesn't it? Because if the likes of them can get married and I can't, that's the only explanation. Oh God.

I want them to just fall off the face of the earth. Is that bad?

[WARDED TO VIVIANNE]

Mother, I was thinking of giving Sylvia a bit of sisterly advice and encouraging Sylvia to consider picking up a bit of volunteer work or an internship so that she is better suited for when she finishes at Hogwarts. I think it would reflect beautifully on the family as well as help her fill the long summers hours. And get her out of the house so that she stops taking my things and driving me mad. What are your thoughts on the matter? I do not wish to interfere with any plans that you might have.

Also do you still wish me to take tea with that girl that Elliot is running about with? I am willing to give her whatever encouragement is needed.

[WARDED TO ELLIOT]

I have suggested to Mother that I am going to encourage Sylvia to find some means of occupying herself that takes place outside the house. Hopefully this will save us from their fighting.

[WARDED TO JUNIA

Shall we take lunch sometime next week? Do let me know how your schedule is looking.

In light of declarations made by certain parties, I do not think that it would be unreasonable for Minister Stalk to do the right thing and fall on his wand. If he is for the protection of Muggles and Muggleborns and little kittens, he should sacrifice himself for the greater good.

It was any decent man would do. I know that sounds a bit harsh, but would it not be great as well? Such an act could do wonders to protect others from harm.

Besides I have a hat that would be absolutely charming at a state funeral.

Oh my! What a scintillating read in the newest Witch Weekly! I can only hope that those picking up the issue to read such a fascinating tell-all take the time to peruse my column. You never know what if you might stumble upon an answer to a question you never knew you had! I try my hardest to give answers that both stimulate and satisfy.

That being said, I do hope that such a descriptive story doesn't cast a shadow over the carnival. There won't be anything nearly as garrish as skulls and the like. But there will be candy floss! Don't forget to come and show your support for Hogwarts! It looks like the weather might hold and everything.

Oh the carnival! I have such sweet memories of the entire thing. I personally love seeing the little Lord and Lady all dolled up and presiding over the festivities. It is absolutely to die for. Of course there is the odd instance when the little lord and lady are just a tiny bit more related they probably ought to be, but that's just a little snafu.

Accidents will happen! I cannot wait to see which names are submitted.

Oh! I think I might go and make someone find the photographs from the carnivals of my youth. We were such lovely children!

[WARDED TO VIVIANNE]

Do you think that we could talk? I have something that I need to speak to you about and I don't think that the journals are the best place for it.

[WARDED TO SOCIETY LADIES]

The flowers are coming up which making me quite keen to get a garden party sorted. Kitty was so kind to put the suggestion in my mind and now there's nothing that can be done until it is sorted. Of course the garden furniture has to be cleaned and the shrubbery is in desperate need of being trimmed. Honestly, you'd think that the gardeners were asleep on the job at the rate that it is taking them.

Long story short, have we settled on dates for parties? Or a rotation? Or something like that?

What sort of people would abandon a child? In a tea room of all places. What if she had gotten herself into the jam? And touched things? Ghastly.

Poor little dear.

( [warded private] )

I would like to thank everyone who has been so kind to my family during these past few weeks. They have been hard, but having a community helps. May surely must be better. It doesn't seem reasonable that things should get worse.

[WARDED TO JUNIA]

I am afraid that I am going to have to cancel our lunch plans. I would like to reschedule, perhaps some time next week. So sorry for the short notice.

( warded private )
[WARDED TO VIVIANNE]

Mother, Demetrius just asked me to a birthday dinner with his parents tomorrow. I have already sussed out an appropriate gift, but do you think that you would be able to help me determine what I should wear? I have some possibles, but I would like to have the perfect dress. Just to assuage my own worries, if nothing else.

Better to be safe than sorry, really.

Belatedly I would like to thank everyone who helped make Saturday evening's event a success. Knowledge is power and the children are our future. It is important to give our libraries as much aid as possible.

[WARDED TO VIVIANNE]

I know that now might not be the time given the stress of recent events, but I was wondering if it is time for me to be a bit encouraging towards Demetrius. I don't want to throw myself at him, but I don't want to ruin the courtship so early by coming off like a frigid fish. Do you have any thoughts on the matter? I seem to find myself unable to advise myself and it is most annoying.

( warded private )

My deepest condolences are with those families who lost someone over the weekend. I do hope that they have found peace in the hereafter regardless of the tumult in which they departed this earth.

[WARDED TO ELLIOT]

My darling brother, is something the matter? I have not only noticed that something has seen a bit off about your demeanor lately, but Mother is now so concerned as to come to me. Remember it is my job to offer advice and consolation and you are my own dear brother. I am more than happy to lend an ear to your troubles.

Please remember you can confide in me. I just want what is best for you.

I really do not understand when decorum became such an important thing in politics. I understand that things are a bit stressful at the moment, what with the danger to the general public but there manners should not be forgotten. The moment we forget that there are ways that our supposed leaders are meant to act, is the moment that we become Muggles animals.

Honestly. I thought that Flint was supposed to be an improvement. I am appalled. It is enough to cause unsightly wrinkles to form in my clothes out of disgust.

ANYWAYS. I have decided to redecorate my private sitting room. I need something occupy my minds and well, it is a fitting present for myself. If I do say so. Which I do. Obviously.