"Somehow hadn't heard, actually."

"Baby's due in March. Michael's so happy, it's adorable."

"Awww."

"Gives me eleven years to end the stigma on halfbloods!"

"Good luck!"

Minor asks Miranda to the winter ball again. One of his dormmates asks if he's serious. "Do you mean do I intend to marry her? Yes."

"Do you know who her father is?"

"Yes, I've met him. I wouldn't want to put my parents through two scandalous marriages in the span of four years. She was top of our year in three subjects, do you really think that's someone with Muggle ancestry?"

"Guess not."

"Mmmhmm."

Sigh.

"Sorry. Should I - do something differently about it -"

"No, you did it right, I just wish - ugh."

"Yeah." Hug.

Hug.

Ares Trembley thought Swan didn't talk about her father? Minor's met him? Did he have to insist? Who is he?

"I didn't have to insist but she wanted to clear the air about it before we were serious. I assume if she wanted it talked about she'd talk about it."

"People speculate he might be a Muggle."

"That's why she wanted to clear the air about it with me, yeah. But I don't think she cares much what other people think, they're not courting her."

"So he isn't?"

"Well, he didn't cast any spells at me but I don't think Muggle households have elves even in Igboland. - the house-elves in Igboland look funny, they're darker and not as wrinkly."

"I didn't know they even had any!"

"I think they're rarer? I'm not sure, we weren't there long."

"Well, if she's actually pureblooded after all it's lucky she's not put off by your sister in law."

"Yeah. Bet Timothy wishes he'd gotten settled before that."

"Who's he thinking about, anybody?"

"Hasn't said, if so. He was really broken up about Smith, might drag his feet for another year or two. Probably not longer than that, our grandfather doesn't really approve of waiting much past twenty. Too much temptation to be stupid in the meantime."

"Poor Smith."

Shrug.