That's Head Girl To You

( She doesn't look, she doesn't see. Opens up for nobody. )

Apparently our product was one of the biggest sellers of the Christmas Season. The line of Occasion Unwrapped is going to be expanded and offered throughout the year in various stores as well as by Owl Order through our catalog.

The Board was pleased and apparently are going to "allow" me to continue managing the line as I didn't crash and burn as terribly as expected, which is lovely since I could likely have any of them fired if I really wished it.

One of the oddest things to come of all this is the interview in Witch Weekly which should be on stands soon. If anyone wished to know my scone recipe it will now be all yours. Apparently they're interested in young society women in today's workplace.

Bart, darling, are we still on for the opera on Friday night?

I've interesting news all around. One is that my Grandmother's decided to have her Hogmanay party after all. She thought about not having it but it's been a tradition for so long that I think she thought my Grandfather would have wanted her to continue. I'm looking forward to it. I think it will be a good way to start the New Year.

[Private to Bart]

This will make up for Boxing Day if you can come.

[/ward]

The other news is that apparently my interview was a success. Between that and the Adverstising Blitz, Occasion Unwrapped has been selling out. I've been overloaded with work trying to organise all of the adverts and the promotions but it's working. And I had an owl from Witch Weekly this morning. Apparently they want to interview me. And they want me to share my scone recipe. Who knew?

Looks like this next year will definitely be an interesting one.

[Private to Eoghan]

How is it being home? If they're driving you mad and you need to escape you're more than welcome to come by and sleep on the couch for a night or two.

[/ward]

So when I came into the office this morning I found out I've been assigned to represent the release of our newest line. It's something called an Occasion Unwrapped and basically it's something along the lines of a party in a box. There's several different products in the line, tea party, formal dinner, birthday, anniversary. Pretty much it comes in a tiny box and you set it on your table, tap it and say the word and suddenly everything you need for a spontaneous dinner or tea is right there, stemware, silver, plates, candles, an immaculate table setting, everything but the food and wine. I'm not really sure how well it's going to sell and I'm a bit worried it's their effort to throw me under the Knight Bus but in any case I am informed I have to be over at the Wizarding Television Station in a little over an hour to film an interview about it.

Help

Nothing like a bit of notice is there? So. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I've gone over the script and the informational package and tried it out and now I'm finding myself wondering how on Earth I ever left the Ministry got myself into this.

I don't even watch television. In any case the interview will be on later this week if anyone wants to see it. I think I am going to die now.

And obviously if you have been searching for that perfect Christmas gift, you can purchase Occasion Unwrapped at several fine stores near you or by owl order.

[Private to Bart]

I forgot to ask you the other night, but I was wondering if I could ask a favor?

The decorations in Hogsmeade look really nice. I bet the display by Madam Puddifoots is going to win though, who knew that woman could make a cupid into St. Nick?

It was nice walking though and looking at them tonight. Quiet too, most everyone else was in out of the cold I suppose.

[Private to Bart]

I'm home safely. Since you said you wanted to know. And thawing nicely. Next time you need to meet my dog.

[Private to Eoghan]

Dad's coming to get you, he'll be there in a little bit.

Grandfather died last night around two in the morning.

I love you.

[/private]

[Private to Close Friends only and Bart]

My grandfather passed away last night. I'll probably be staying here until after the funeral. I'm glad he can finally rest.

I don't remember the last time I saw this much snow. It makes me glad for tea and a warm fire, even though I went out in it earlier to get a few things.

My Dad's been here part of the day talking to my Grandfather, which is a good thing. And it gave me a bit of a break.

I think maybe they're actually talking.

If anyone will be about this afternoon I wouldn't say no to a cup of tea?

It has been a very long week. I haven't been able to sleep much and I feel a bit like I'm walking in some sort of twilight world when I first wake up, like everything isn't quite real. It's strange to be here instead of my own bed, although at least the House Elves make a first rate breakfast.

Eoghan, I'm glad father was able to get you for the day, I hope that you are back safely.

Brooke and Amara, are you faring all right?

Private to Self

He can't sleep more than a few hours at a time and the pain potions aren't working as well anymore. They said we could only give him so much and I asked the idiot healer why, considering he's dying, it isn't as if they could do much more to him than is already happening.

I wish Mother would come home. I wish Egg hadn't had to see him like that. I wish he could have stayed.

Private to Bart Oglethorpe

Thank you for being a distraction.

The snow outside yesterday was really beautiful for as long as its lasted. It started to melt a bit in the streets today, when I went out to the shops, but it was really lovely last night.

I think you can go your whole life without coming to terms with what it means to say goodbye. I think I'm learning that now, what it means, how much it hurts to do it, how even though we don't want to, sometimes there's no choice, and all we can do is say it and let go.

I never wanted to let go. I thought if I tried my hardest to hold on I could, Sheer force of will. Drive. It's sort of like the snow melting in the palm of your hand. Existing only for a moment, but worth it while it does. Even when your hand feels wet and empty when it's gone.

[Private to Meliora Llewellyn]

You didn't have to do that, you know. You need it more than I do.

But thank you.

[/private]

Sorry if anyone was concerned yesterday. I wasn't feeling very well and slept most of the day today. Probably just stress overdoing it.

Brooke, my Uncle Jack will be coming over to collect Tinsworth if he's too much trouble for you and Amara. I'm going to have to stay at my Grandparents place in Glasgow for at least the time being. They're bringing him home tomorrow so he can be in familiar surroundings.

( Accidentally left unwarded for a few moments then hastily warded private but friends can break it. )

[Hexed Private]

Dear Self,

Please stop being an idiot girl. Why do you even care anymore. Why do you bother? Nothing good will come if you do go. I don't care if it's just because you want to see him. He doesn't want anything to do with you and has made that clear. He's a lower than pond scum form of life that doesn't have a bone of compassion or general human decency inside him and you shouldn't even waste another thought on his selfish sorry, ridiculous, arsehole of a self.

Also. Stop talking to Fred Weasley. And doing things that are unbecoming of you. You have an image to maintain, particularly now. Stop crying.

You will work hard and find a smart match and love is just a stupid lie that idiots believe. You always thought it before so this isn't any different. It's better not to feel anything.

I wish I couldn't feel anything. Especially right now.

[/private]

[Hexed Private to Friends]

I don't even know why I bother.

Eoghan, father is going to see if you can come home for the weekend next week to see Grandfather.

[/private]

( Saoirse: Wardrobe )

My apologies to anyone who might have spoken to someone who wasn't me on my journal yesterday. It was a rather trying day, overall.

Our company has four main divisions, research and development, public relations and advertising, production, and distribution. I've just spent the past two weeks getting a crash course in all four. I think most likely I'll be working in either public relations or distribution for now while I get my feet wet.

And I thought the Ministry had long hours.

I've been spending some evenings with my Grandmother, and we've started sorting through my Grandfather's things. I found a book of poetry that was his when he was a young lad, and she said I could keep it. It's odd when I think about him, so young, his father sent to prison indefinitely, left to fend for himself with the whole world thinking he'd follow in his father's footsteps. I don't think I ever realized just now how proud I am of him of what he made himself or to be a McLaggen. I am going to miss him very much. My childhood would not be my childhood without memories of him in his big winged armchair in the library, drinking whiskey and smoking a cigar with his robes unbuttoned just one button for him to relax. He'd pull me on his lap and give me a sickle from his pocket and then tell me wretched jokes that weren't really very funny.

He wasn't a perfect man but I think he was a good one.

Though fickle Fortune has deceived me,
She pormis'd fair and perform'd but ill;
Of mistress, friends, and wealth bereav'd me,
Yet I bear a heart shall support me still.

I'll act with prudence as far 's I'm able,
But if success I must never find,
Then come misfortune, I bid thee welcome,
I'll meet thee with an undaunted mind.

So. My beloved niece left this sitting on her desk and low and behold the things I find out reading through it. I think I shall keep it for a little while, at least.

Tsk. Tsk.

Whoever her current lad is, you are a brave man.

And the old one, if I ever run into you you're going to be sorry. No one makes her cry other than family.

Added at Tea Time

I'm sorry about that. Don't worry, the journal thief has been properly punished.

People are certainly full of surprises, aren't they?

Some more pleasant than others.

[Private to Friends]

I now have a new standard for awkward dates. Longbottom's off the hook for that now.

I would have much rather been at home or spending time with someone else. Like my dog.

Also, I have a secret and no I can't tell but I'm terribly pleased about it. And randomly and completely unrelated, naturally, anyone ever looking for advice on shiny pretty things should know I am definitely the woman to help.

I'm spending the day working out in the garden up at Mother's, since she isn't around to make sure all the plants are put to bed. Tinsworth is enjoying the fresh air and chasing the gnomes, and I'm just liking being away from the office. Despite the rocky start, the week improved as it went on, and I'm starting to get a grasp a bit for the office politics and policies. Still a long way to go though. Technically right now Bruce and I are assistants to my Grandmother, but in reality as soon as we get our feet under us we're going to be taking over as much of the day to day operation as we can without the stockholders revolting.

Grandfather is slowly declining and the healers have said he likely doesn't have much past the first of the year left. I think Grandmother's hoping he'll hold on till Hogmanay, but I don't see that is happening. With what I saw my last visit, him letting go will probably be for the best, no matter how much my Grandmother wants to hold on.

Once this is all finished up I'm headed home and maybe going out for a drink tonight. Anyone else want to come along?

[/private]

I enjoyed myself at the Ball last night. It was well put on, I thought, for that sort of event, even if it was a bit low-end. Interesting dance partners as well. No Muggles in sight.

And I'm fairly certain my date liked my costume. Considering. how the evening turned out.

[Private to Fred]

Weasley, you either managed some sleep or you ran off to a foreign country with a rope. Alive? I want to know in case anyone contacts me about a missing person's case and I'm the last person to have seen you.[/private]

[Private to Friends]

I'm working through the end of the week at the Ministry and then I'll be done there. They said if I wish to reapply for next year's program I can, as they were sorry to see me go. But as it is I'm going to be stuck if things are completely dreadful up in Glasgow.

Kieran, I'm joining you in the ranks of the disgruntled working in the last place on Earth they thought they'd end up.

Sorry I drank all the wine, Brooke, I'm going to stock up at the market tomorrow.

This week just needs to be over.

At least I won't have the unpleasantness of occasionally running into Eric at the Ministry any longer. [/private]

I'm looking forward to Saturday. Hopefully the event will be Muggle Free. This world we're living in is going completely to the dogs.

Nice show, Slytherin.

You played a good game.

I'm putting my notice in at the Ministry on Monday. For now it's a temporary leave of absence but it may become permanent. Bruce and I are going to join my Grandmother in taking over the family business. I hope I'm doing the right thing. I don't know what else I can do though. Bruce can't do it by himself, and my Grandmother is lost without Grandfather to run everything.

Tonight I'm spending the night in warming up after the game. I'm still freezing, but it was worth it, Bar and Eoghan. You'll catch up.

Best night's sleep in weeks.