You'll not want to miss this.

Hard to believe that the year is almost over - harder still to accept the light snow falling this evening as Narcissa and I returned from our engagement.

But first of the month accounting completed; party invitations sent; board commitments settled for next quarter; ridiculous number of invitations declined or accepted; Court docket set through end-of-year; arrangements for Our Lord's tree-lighting in New London complete. Truly the most remarkable thing is that the schedules are by turns crammed with meetings that must occur prior to year's end and lightened by the call of the all-important cocktail hour.


We have been asked to attend the Yule Ball as guests along with the dignitaries from Austria and France; despite being held the night prior to our own small celebration at the Manor, we have accepted. Understand the evening's entertainment concerns two of our own. Shall be intrigued to see it. (Also hear that there ought to be more than a little in the way of unofficial entertainment.)


Draco, Mr Marvolo: The Headmistress reports that your assignments have been completed to her satisfaction. Trust you shall be able to demonstrate your aptitude on our next visit as well.


Have been on several tours of camps over the last few weeks. Could concede the point that additional consistency across the regions would be useful but remain unconvinced that it ought to become a priority. Believe the realm has more pressing matters to occupy our time, not least of which being the continued development of supply chains. A vital component to such supply, naturally, involves ensuring that those substances we cannot produce in domestic enterprise are imported from sympathetic sources - those governments and organisations with a similar approach to protecting the magical standards for which Our Lord has made the Protectorate famous. We must look to the future, rather than police the present.

Fortunately the holiday season affords ample opportunity to discuss weighty matters of state in less formal settings.


But it grows too late for political rambling.

Admirably done.

We are all quite impressed with your ingenuity under pressure.

We shall see you shortly.

Found the castle bearing the strain of the extra students well enough. Though Minerva, wish to stress again the importance of not inducing the elves to expend half the years' supply of spices and other supplies on unauthorised menus. Quite agree with Peakes that there is no provision in the budget to replenish the stores when they have been used precipitously.


Igor, I do see your concern but seems that you have the matter well in hand. If you should need to speak further, suggest you come down at a week-end and present your evidence - and your intention - where it will have a greater impact. Or you might simply bring it up on Monday when we return for the triple celebrations of Our Lord's birthday, Halloween and the naming of the Champions.


Draco, Pansy: Good to see you both and to hear your reaction to Nolan's news. You'll be pleased to know Ari has seen copies of the contracts and finds them satisfactory, as do I. Now, take care you don't concentrate so hard on writing songs that you neglect your studies! (Also, I would caution you not to expect too much from the offer.)

And son, about that other matter: Yes, I think you've the right idea. Shame. Suppose the effect of isolation had something to do with a lack of proper understanding; entirely appropriate to set the matter straight. Just mind that you go about it carefully, though from what you have said, you are doing so. Do keep me informed, particularly about any of the signs we discussed.


Harry, surprised to hear you say you had not yet made your move. You understand your Father's wishes, do you not? You are running out of time.

It's arranged; eight o'clock this evening. Crispin's keen to go along. Shouldn't be a problem to keep records in his name and have impressed upon him the opportunity to prove his worth on such a task.

Discussed with him the primary importance of inducing Smethley to speak under his own power. Have the records of properties which Maule has appropriated, which ought to serve as its own incentive. Have the list we jotted down last night (or this morning if you prefer); have you thought of any other questions you'd like answered?

He may have wormed his way in quickly but he can be ousted with just as much haste. Particularly when compared to long and loyal service.

Oh - also heard from Yaxley. He's spoken directly with Cuffe so the explanation will appear in to-night's Prophet. Still no official word on the identity of the body but understand from him and Pelton that you have a ... theory? He's wise to keep that quiet for now.

You'll brief Forney before she goes out?

Ned,

Sure that you are seeing to all manner of items at present but surprised that you had left your station in such disarray. Think you had best get back to Barty's office and make sure no one other than Bella, Claudius or myself can access anything he was working on.

Have already encountered Croaker and Massopust nosing about your desk; have taken liberty of locking his door with a spell to ensure nothing is disturbed pending our further inquiry.

If you know of anything causing particular threat, you might wish to volunteer that information to me at your first opportunity. Or anything else of potential importance, especially with any impact to Our Lord.

Mulciber, Rookwood and Gibbon have each contacted me in the last twenty minutes.

Is it true you saw it happen?

And right outside the Ouroboros?!


Rookwood thinks we ought to call a meet. Not sure it's wise if - if He has no cause to summon us.

Weasley why did you not tell me that Froissart had left a message about the Beauxbatons delegation?

Dominic, it seems we must revisit the question of that halfblood to whom you objected. Delacour. The young woman selected in her place, Mlle Dulonges, has suffered a rather grievous injury in her Potions lesson this morning and will be unable to travel for ... several months. Madame Maxime insists that her protégé be reconsidered from the list of alternates.

Don't believe we need discuss at the Board of Governors' meeting this after-noon but if you think it necessary .... Certain Peakes would oblige if you cared to make an issue of it. At this point, cannot imagine that her 'unfair advantage' (that is what you called it, if I recall) will afford her any more benefit than an over-abundance of invitations to the Yule Ball. Froissart reports her skills are adequate at best.

In any event, it is of no consequence to me at this juncture. Let the chit come and fail, and let that be a testament to the follies of miscegenation.

These restrictions placed by Fletcher are ridiculous. I'm fine. Though the business of writing all communication is damned inconvenient. Shall need you to attend meetings along with me for next week; possibly two if I allow Fletcher his caution.

Meanwhile, see no reason not to re-commence business as usual after the week-end. Only leave Monday afternoon open since Mrs Malfoy will be taking Draco back up to school and returning. (Need to be back at the Manor before her Witch Weekly commitment has been met for the day.)


So. First things first: Have you contacted Rousseau's office since the Cup? Shall need to ensure that nothing about the incident has affected plans for Hogwarts. Suspect Selwyn has thought of it already but sure he has not had time to address it with Pontner; can only hope that Pontner exhibited some intuition regarding the need for action. Would be advantageous to take the initiative there as soon as possible. Same for the Bulgarians, though Pontner has been taking the lead there all along, so presumably he has already assuaged any misgivings they might have in light of the incident.

On that note, Bartley and Runcorn can wait. Push them out to mid-month.

Instead need Cuffe - first thing Monday. And bring the report on the casualties from the Harrogate camp reprisals (are they calling that the 29^th or was it 30^th by the time the demonstrators left the arena? No-one has told me). Want him here before MLE's press gaggle at ten o'clock.

Also Clarriker: Have the books ready. Wish to instruct him to increase the percentage of imports tithed to Buckingham by 10% - half of which ought to come from his portion, of course. He'll object; we shall impress upon him the importance of Our Lord's continued good favour; he'll capitulate. Tuesday would be acceptable if he cannot come Monday morning.


Blast. Reminds me: Thursday was first of the month. Need to go over the accounts to-morrow, then. Come to the Manor ... after tea will do. Should take no more than an hour or two.


Mrs Malfoy mentioned you had to answer for one or two rather insistent (and inventive) would-be visitors who slipped through our outer protections before someone discovered their presence. Kindly provide a list of the names. Trust that neither Hooper parent was among the invasive ones; of course, were there any of a suspicious nature, it would be prudent to inform Zuckerman immediately.

Speaking of which, understand that the younger Runge presented him-self to Our Lord at yesterday's Court. No need to guess why. Contact him but not before Wednesday noon and arrange tea at the Elysian or the Ouroboros sometime in the next week month.


Finally, seem to recall that we had agreed to host a supper at Ouroboros for new members. Check the diary. Think it may have been 17^th September. See if Yaxley will take it on; if not him (though it would be wise for him with MLE's upcoming announcement), then try Avery or barring him, Mulciber. Any of them ought to be attending, at any rate. Merely a matter of acting as master of ceremonies.

Sure there will be more by to-morrow. Already forgetting something.

Ah, yes. Mme Froissart's accommodations. Munroe's written to say he's had a change of heart and he'll vacate Mellerstain. However. In light of recent events, my sister feels it makes no sense to return to France in the interim. (Some plot she and Mrs Malfoy have concocted, I assume, to plague me with nursemaids over the next three weeks.) As a result, she would like to take residence at the end of September instead of the end of October. Have drafted an agreement for him to consider which you may deliver after we're done here in the afternoon.

Between meetings as you know so briefly:

Suspect you have seen to-day's paper. Kindly arrange an appropriate condolence for the Hoopers. Regrets that Mrs Malfoy and I cannot attend funeral, &c.

Also if you've the first of the month accounts completed I shall review them on my return.

Finally for Fudge on Thursday: Shall require that list, again, of Top Box seating arrangements and probably best to make sure I have the whole delegations as well.

Oh, and housing for Prof and Mme Froissart! Meant to mention it yesterday. My sister has expressed a desire to stay in Mellerstain House whilst her husband is seeing to his charges. Believe the property is currently residence to the Munroes under the Repopulation Rewards programme but see if you can convince them to let it for the school year. If not, then Dunrobin Castle is another option. Find out if it is in use or no. But if Munroe doesn't give in, book him in with me before moving on.