"Then I suppose for now Caractacus will have to suffice. If you do happen to think on any appropriate shortenings, however, I would listen." He looked at her and spoke even more formally than usual, "Of course; in your condition, a curtsy clearly would be an overstrain." Then he broke into a smile.
He'd missed this, though he had been loath to admit it. The interplay and switching from the formal register and jokes dependent on a knowledge of Society intertwined with the philosophical discussions he'd enjoyed in his House. Though she was a Slytherin, Andromeda reminded him of his fellow Pureblooded Ravenclaws.
"Change is inevitable. All one can do is prepare for it, and try to protect those things and people that are precious to you. Unfortunately, one cannot force an acceptance of change, though not for a lack of trying." Caractacus's hands clenched in his lap, clutching the fabric of his navy robe.