Surprising items

[alt_lucius]

Congratulations to MLE on their tireless pursuit of enemies to the state. Between their capture of Dippet and Gudgeon and the Longbottom exposure they have proven to all that our safety is in good hands and that even in the wake of Black's downfall, they have not given their vigilance a holiday.

That said, it is refreshing to once in a while read in the Prophet some fact one did not anticipate. For example, I had heard that the investigation into Black uncovered incontrovertible evidence of accomplices long believed eradicated. So I was not at all surprised to see the disgraced former-Aurors Longbottom have been, to our dismay, resurrected. Until this morning, however, I had not known the precise nature of that proof.

Which is rather perturbing, as I am certain a child with their surname would have been easily detected by the Headmistress or myself on our inspections of the Hogwarts rolls. Minerva, I can conceive at least two explanations for such an oversight; I trust you shall provide an acceptable justification. We shall, of course, require an additional check through the book at Thursday's Board of Governors' meeting.


Pansy, Mr Tenebridge confirmed this morning that we will be able to tour the facility next week. (He also let me know who will be recording when you are there; I think you will be pleased.) And I have arranged for you to meet with Mr Baddock regarding those changes to your paternal pension which will take effect upon your mother's remarriage. To that end, he requested you bring the Parkinson vault key. Knowing your mother, you will need to obtain it from wherever she has hidden it - if she can remember where.

However, he has a favour to ask in return: It seems that last year, you made quite an impression on his younger children. They overheard him saying that he would be seeing you and immediately begged another chance to spend time together. He suggested you spend an afternoon at Kenwood; I said I would ask if you thought you could spare the time. There are at least two afternoons when I shall be unable to keep you company, so perhaps you might agree to one of them and it will not impact our timetable grossly. What do you think?

Comments

ORDER ONLY

[alt_frank]

get buggered by a hippogriff, you poncey arse.

[alt_pansy]

Oh! Thanks! I'm really looking forward to the tour. That'll be just brill. And thank Mr Baddock for me, and tell him I'd love to see Lucy and Antonia again. And Malcolm too.

I'll talk to mum about the key. I'll bet it's packed away somewhere, or back at the London house, but we'll get it before I come and visit.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed, that is why I thought you might need some notice to make sure you have it.

(Now, forgive me if I have not kept an accurate count: Have you taken in Longbottom among your many strays as well?)

[alt_pansy]

He's part of our study group.

He's really decent, you know, super polite, and nice. Especially to Sally-Anne. And he's never said a word about about his parents. I had no idea. Looks like he didn't either, which is sort of awful to think on, finding out like that.

[alt_percy]

I just saw the paper. It's really quite shocking.

I must admit I'm extremely concerned for young Neville Longbottom, Mr Malfoy. After all, he's in my house, and I feel responsible for him, as one of the House prefects.

I must confess, I'm quite curious. What 'explanations' might you be referring to?

If you don't mind my asking, sir.

[alt_lucius]

Ah, Weasley. No, it's quite all right.

There are a few. The unlikeliest is that there is something wrong with the roll book. If there is a possibility that the book has failed to detect all magical births in the realm, then it must be investigated as soon as possible.

A highly improbable option is that someone has been tampering with the book - you will understand this is remote owing to the rigourous standards we have placed within and around the school to protect it and its students from the hands of traitors. But it is, nonetheless, something that must be considered.

The simplest reason, however, is the most unpleasant for anyone to consider: The brat may merely be a Squib, and therefore ineligible to attend Hogwarts. It is this possibility that seems most plausible; and yet the other avenues ought to be ruled out before one determines the answer definitively.

Though it bears remarking that it would not be terribly surprising, should it turn out to be the case. I understand that your Mr Longbottom was extremely slow to display his own magical ability; as for his stock, I can attest that Frank Longbottom tended to lead with brute physical force rather than the finesse of his wand - and that is usually a sign of magical inferiority.

Crispin informs me we have not received your reply yet. Is there a problem?

[alt_mcgonagall]

I have just double-checked the enchantments on the book, Lucius; there has certainly been no tampering, and none of the wards around it have been tripped. The Squib solution is surely the correct one - I cannot, cannot believe that anyone could have tampered with the book under my very nose.

ORDER ONLY

[alt_mcgonagall]

Dear Merlin...

Re: ORDER ONLY

[alt_molly]

Good heavens, yes. That was a narrow escape.

It's a good thing the squib explanation should suffice.

[alt_percy]

Thank you, Mr Malfoy.

I'm sure you must have received my reply by now, sir.

[alt_bellatrix]

It was difficult to keep the specifics of our find a secret - from you and Cissy both, and Rodolphus and Mother, too. Naturally, though, we had to use the discovery to our advantage. Authenticity had to be determined, as well; the thought that former "Aurors" would be so careless as to announce their state of living to the world, even to one as like as Black, was initially unfathomable. Perhaps a ruse by Black to divert us away from him, I thought. But no, the thing is real, and evidence enough that wherever they are, they think themselves quite cosy and protected.

Well, we shall see about that.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I am as startled as you, Lucius. The only possible explanation is that the Longbottom infant is a squib - weak blood will out, I suppose.