Lach

[Dennis Creevey]

How's things, kid? I know I've been pretty awful at writing, but work's been hectic. It's getting a bit easier now though, so we can get things back on track. Though having a new baby in the house might knock things off again, but we'll cope! I've never really talked to you about how you feel about the baby, have I

Your mum's doing okay, just pretty tired a lot of the time. Have you spoken to your sister lately?

Anyway, I'm sure you've got loads more news than I have most of which you won't tell me. Have you got any plans for Easter yet? I thought maybe we could make some good ones...

Love,

Dad

((OOC - Sorry, Dennis isn't good at writing long letters. Plus, he signs himself Dad, whatever Lachlan calls him, lol. Oh, and Lissie said it was fine to bring the baby-plot back...))

[Lachlan Creevey]

DENNIS, MY GOOD OLD MAN,

Things are going great for me, like always. It all depends on what sort of 'things' you're asking about, but it is likely that there is a 99% chance that whatever 'things' you're referring to, I will say that they're going great.

Yes, tell me, how is the whole baby development holding up? Well I guess mum would know better than you would but still No one ever tells me anything.

No, I haven't spoken to Ella recently. She drifts, you see. I can never seem to find her in this castle. It's a hard life.

I have nothing in mind for Easter, not really. It's not for a few more weeks, and you know I don't really plan ahead. For anything. I'd be up for whatever you'd like to do, though! Unless it means staying at home every single night over holidays, I feel as though I should make it quite clear here that I'd like to reserve at least one night for clubbing getting openly smashed going out. I can smell your disapproval already, it's wafting over me in waves through the letter you haven't even written back to me yet.

Lots of love,
Lachlan

(OOC - okay, that's cool with me!)

[Dennis Creevey]

Lachlan, my splendid little boy!

(If I get old man, you get little boy. Okay?)

Hm, to define the word 'things.' Not easy, it's true. I'll be more specific.

a) Are you healthy?

b) Are you happy?

c) How are your studies going? They haven't thrown you out of any classes, have they?

d) How are your friends?

e) Are you behaving yourself?

Is that any clearer?

Um, baby development. Well, your mum is quite large, but apparently that's no sign of anything - she was huge with you, and then you were a tiny scrap of a thing. There's plenty of kicking though, and the healers say it's turned already, so we're all on track. Enough information, or would you like more? If you want too much more, ask your mum.

Oh, you spend all your free time searching the castle for your sister? That's good to know, Lachie. It reassures me.

Of course I have no problem with you going out, son. Because I trust you with your friends to behave sensibly and not do anything stupid, and I know you wouldn't let me down and break that trust. Would you?

I was thinking maybe a few nights away though. We'll have to see how things work out, because I don't want to abandon your mum with the baby, but it might be difficult for her to come. Otherwise, we'll find somewhere to go for the day.

Lots of love,

Dad

[Lachlan Creevey]

Dearest Father,

That is rather unfair of you, sir. I protest as I am clearly no longer a little boy.

a) I haven't been to the hospital wing for a serious health-related issue in over three months. Are you proud? However the same cannot be said for visiting the hospital wing for lack of anything better to do when I'm skillfully skipping certain lessons such as History of Magic. The class is dreadful.

b) I'm always happy! Life is great.

c) Oh, don't even get me started on my studies. You know how much I love all of my lessons. Good old professors making everything so interesting for us students. Except not really

d) Which friends? There's a few. I could name them all and inform you about all their problems but that would take a while, not to mention you'd be overwhelmed bored with it.

e) I'm appalled that you even have to ask to confirm such a thing. Of course I am!

It's turned? Like in her actual belly? How is that normal? Anyways, no, that should do it for now. It's not like I'm graced with being knowledgeable about pregnancies so I wouldn't really understand much else other than what you just told me.

Yes, I do. You caught me. You should definitely owl her and tell her that we're far too old for that Muggle game that she always liked to play as a child - what's it called, again? Hide and something? I feel like she's always playing it with me. It's like she doesn't ever want to be found. I try my best, though.

No, I certainly would not! Once again, you have me all figured out, Dennis. I actually commend how well you know me to trust me so much. You're a good man.

Let me know either way, I'm up for going somewhere for a day like old times.

Lots of love,
Lachlan

[Dennis Creevey]

Lachlan,

Well, I protest too, as I am clearly not an old man. Although you're still basically a little boy, looking objectively at the whole thing.

In my line of work, we learn to look for the small pieces of evidence in what people say. Therefore, I have to ask - what have you been to the hospital wing for in the last three months? I'm glad you're happy and enjoying your studies - we'll see that reflected in your exam results as the end of the year, will we? And I don't know which of your friends I was talking about. There are so many of them, I lose track. Roxanne? Cassie? Jo? It occurs to me as I write that - are any of your friends male?

I can actually picture the expression of outraged innocence on your face as you said that. It's the same one that you had on when you told me that of course it wasn't you who ate the entire jar of chocolate spread in the middle of the night, despite the smears of chocolate on your pillow. What have you done?

It's entirely normal. It would be more worrying if it hadn't turned - babies are supposed to come out head first, but this one was sitting very much right side up until recently. It's now upside down, which is a good thing, as it'll make things a lot more comfortable for your mother when she goes into labour, which incidentally, was supposed to be today, but nothing's happened yet.

You mean Hide and Seek? I will write and tell her you were looking for her, but I expect she's just busy with her friends. I'm glad you're looking out for her though.

You're wearing that expression of outraged innocence again. I repeat, you wouldn't want to break the trust we have between us, would you? If I didn't trust you, you see, I wouldn't be able to let you go out alone for a while. At all. These things are all about trust.

I think I've thought of something fun we could do, but I'll be seeing you shortly anyway, so I'll tell you then.

Lots of love, Dad