"Oh," Thom said, with mock enthusiasm. "Well, you know how much I live to please your mother." Thom was not particularly fond of the Echelon-Arnosts, as a family. August, obviously, was fine, and a few of the others seemed to have turned out alright in the end. The family tree also included Elsbeth, however, who might have been Thom's least favorite person in existence with the exception of Art Pettigrew (who only earned that distinction over her because of his association with Thom's last name). Given that her parenting was also responsible for producing Hannah's father — who had been an asshole, first and foremost, but as it turned out also a terrible criminal besides — Thom had very little respect for her wishes or opinions in any given situation.

(Besides, there was something not quite right about having quite that many children; there was no particular need for it and she clearly wasn't doing it all that well to begin with).

"The season seems to be off to an early start," he commented. "Hannah already has a pile of invitations for April. Maybe everyone's of a mind to get things in before the Quidditch Cup kicks off," he joked, though he doubted this was weighing very heavily on anyone's schedule considerations except his.