My husband, Lucius, brought us to Hogsmeade ten years ago, thinking that we would be safer and happier in a completely wizarding village after all of the troubles we had in Russia and France. He did very well in his business as long as it lasted, but upon his death last year, we discovered that he had also amassed a load of debts that had to be paid with the money he left us. My sister Galina has been helpful, and she said she was sure I could work with her, but I don't trust that sleazy boss of hers; he cheats on his wife, and he makes her work all hours of the day and the night doing things that she says are great fun, when she isn't completely terrified. Besides, even if my children are away at Hogwarts, I can hardly leave our shiftless brother alone all day. Alexei would rather do anything than work, except join the army. I've told him he'd best find a job before he gets drafted, but does he ever listen? So I had to find some work I could do from home...and I did.
My eldest son, David, is a typical Gryffindor, or so I'm told. That's supposed to be good, right? Galina's daughter Sadie is a Gryffindor, and she's got a good job with the Daily Prophet. My younger son, Ephraim, is a Ravenclaw. I gather that's not so good, and I'm seldom pleased with the letters I get from the Hogwarts staff.
