Private and Public business

[alt_lucius]

Cassiopoeia Black's funeral will be to-morrow morning, which ought to put an end to an unpleasant business. Sinclair obtained her remains yesterday (about time!) and Caldecott has reviewed her will and testament. Luckily for the entire family, her affairs were in no wise as muddled as Lucretia's.

I have discussed with Walburga whether she wished to hold a public reception; she declined. Cassiopoeia was always a very private person. Moreover, in the current climate, Walburga agreed that large gatherings do not seem prudent. Per the announcement in the Prophet, we had established a small fund at St Mungo's for gifts on Lucretia's behalf; we shall now add Cassiopoeia's name to the endowment.


Meanwhile, the activities at the Ministry and among the administrative body of the camp continue to move along so brusquely that it was a minor miracle Ari and I were able to sit to a quiet, relaxing tea to-day. He has been offered a seat on the St Mungo's Board; tried to convince him to take it up, but not sure whether he will. Also he mentioned that he and Pandora did consent to have Kenwood profiled in the Londinarium sometime this spring.


Regarding the Ministry, attended a general meeting of all senior camp administrators to review the findings of the investigation into the sequence of events leading up to the Prophet article. Three Healers from St Mungo's were included, as well. Their chief concern has been to stem the spread of the disease, whereas our primary goal that day was to determine where and when the disease began to spread - and most importantly how it jumped from camp to camp. Certainly, the absence of any infection in any camp personnel reassures one that the danger is limited to the loss of labour and productivity and not a question of possible transmission. (It should be noted that precautions are still a wise measure, as is the case whenever coming into contact with anything tainted such as muggles.)

What is particularly vexing is the solidarity among the camp staff in their insistence that they have done all in their power to contain and to reverse the disease - when obviously if they had taken more responsible action, they should have brought in experts much sooner, and perhaps saved the State countless Galleons in lost mugglepower. Within the Ministry, it is clear that a few key suspects who were made aware of the situation took it upon themselves to obfuscate the truth. One can only conclude that they feared retribution if they revealed the extent of the problem; a self-fulfilling prophecy if ever there were one! We have, I am happy to say, successfully detained those suspects whom we are confident played a part in worsening this menace - and those whom we strongly suspect are agents of the traitor, Sirius Black.

Finally on this subject, expect to discuss the entire matter with the Minister on Thursday, by which time I hope we will have the results of Selwyn's internal inquest. I cannot imagine Dolores herself bears any culpability, although there is something to be said for her ability to maintain a firm grasp of all that passes through her office ....


Speaking of maintaining order, forgot to mention that last week, I returned from Buckingham to the St James' house to find that Crispin had brought his nephews with him. Some mix-up, apparently, resulting from a prior commitment to take them for the day, which he could not then re-arrange after I required him to be on hand. Vorenus is eight and Gracchus is six, though he took great care to note that he will be seven in a mere three months. The boys reminded me a great deal of Draco and Harry at their ages: Polite, but inquisitive, and prone to curiosity if not well-occupied. Permitted Crispin to use the drawing-room for them, and further to order them up a meal and send the elf for a few of Draco's old toys and games to distract them and keep them from getting underfoot. Unfortunately it was not long before Gracchus became a little too excited playing 'Snitch-Snatcher' and one of his Chasers flew out of the drawing-room and into the foyer. Nothing a swift 'Reparo' could not remedy - but clearly something that ought not to be repeated. And clear indication that charming as both young men are, they were too much a distraction for any productive work to be accomplished whilst we shared their company. It was a further two hours, however, before Crispin could obtain another relative to watch them and get along with his duties. How quickly one forgets, once boys are able to amuse themselves without need of constant supervision.


Luckily, other than ad hoc demands, this is a light week. Court to-morrow, of course, and the matter of an appointment for drinks with the Razzer and a few others on Friday, but otherwise one may recover from the ... excitement ... of the holidays in relative peace.

Comments

Order Only

[alt_poppy]

"It should be noted that precautions are still a wise measure, as is the case whenever coming into contact with anything tainted such as muggles."

Poisonous--


Words fail me.

[alt_regulus]

I assume all went well this morning. I owled Mother to inquire, but she hexed the bird and sent it back with the letter unopened.

[alt_narcissa]

All went smoothly, though I have never before been glad of above-ground crypts. But the ground was so frozen that anything else would have been difficult to manage.

She was very cross that you weren't able to attend. Accepted no explanations - convinced you simply didn't wish to rise early and there was some deal of grumbling about the way you've been 'flaunting' your new paramour. Was there a young lady you used to see in your last year of school? Melissa or Miranda ... something? She insisted that you ought to look her up again. I didn't care to point out that it's unlikely the witch in question is still single.

Anyway, don't fret. It's only your mother being ... your mother.

[alt_regulus]

I thought as much. She spent all of Monday evening muttering that she really ought to update her will. I left when it was clear there was nothing else she wished to say to me.

Merlin's hairy earlobes.

That's why she wouldn't go to the gala, you know. Nothing to do with poor, dead Aunt Cassie.

You're thinking of Melusinda Ayres. Mother's forgiven her then? She was the one who took one too many glasses of Father's best port and lost her supper on the Persian carpet. They sent her home to her parents before the elves finished cleaning the mess.

Honestly. It's not as though I haven't dated my share of witches. Do you think it would help if I brought home a collection of lacy knickers from this trip? I could casually forget them in a satchel by the hall table.

[alt_narcissa]

Perhaps we could have some delivered with a note: Dear Aunt Walburga, this is just to certify that there's still hope someone will continue the Black legacy.

You could always foster. I'm sure she would approve of that - or at least, she dare not disapprove!

[alt_regulus]

Oh, do! You've no idea how that would cheer me.

Who knows what she dares these days? You'd think she might not dare be so ostentatiously sour about my duties for Our Lord, but no, she goes about insinuating to all and sundry that I'm neglecting her in order to indulge in appalling and lubricious pursuits.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I could send her a testimonial, detailing the names and vital statistics of the witches I invited to dine with us last year. I should think there were eight or nine of them that I introduced to you.

[alt_regulus]

Are you wanting to help matters?

[alt_crouch_jr]

You don't think she'd be pleased?

[alt_regulus]

That I'd been introduced to a long list of eligible young witches and not made any of them the next Mrs Black?

Thank you, no.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I suppose I might say I'd helped you pay off three or four of them to avoid paternity suits.

[alt_narcissa]

No, indeed, if anything that might make matters worse! Though if she doesn't stop agonising soon I may just lose my temper and ask her myself which son she prefers - the one who enjoys the company of other men, or the one who delighted in putting up posters of wretched muggle heifers. I do believe she still hasn't managed to pull down the pinup of that horrid Racquel whatever-her-name-was. In a bikini, no less.

Though really I think there may be a few people I know who might interest our Reg more than his current lost lamb. I thought for a while Antonia Masterson would have done for you, Barty dear, but then I saw you need another kind of girl altogether.

[alt_regulus]

Sadly, she did manage to blast the one I preferred--the one of that Farrell Fawcett who had all that wild hair and the totally inadequate swimming costume.

And you're right, of course: imagine what Mother might do if she thought there were unclaimed grandchildren hiding somewhere out there. She'd set a reward for anyone who could produce them.

And as soon as they'd been located, she'd strike me off the tree. Not that there aren't moments when I imagine what a relief that might be.

[alt_narcissa]

Careful, Reg - what would Ganymede say if he saw you lusting after a craven image!

Though it may assuage Auntie to know you can still be tempted by the feminine form.

(And personally I think her threats to disown are all bluff. She can ill afford to be blanked by the rest of the family, if she decides to cut you out!)

[alt_regulus]

A bit of jealousy in that quarter might serve me well--maintain the mystery and whatnot, you know. After all, mystery is the strongest thing in my favour at the moment, given that we've scarcely any chance to deepen our acquaintance, let alone tire of one another.

I don't know. If I were him, I'd--

Well, no sense being fatalistic about it. Perhaps he'll give me more of a chance than I deserve.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Another kind of girl altogether? Do tell.

Not that I disagree about Antonia; that's completely impossible. For any number of reasons.

[alt_narcissa]

No, it's far more fun to simply point them in your direction and let you fend for yourself.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Well, point them all you like. If it amuses you.