Too Much Rain
Nov. 8th, 2010 02:24 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_luciusSpent most of the day, following Court, on inspection tour at Preston and Leeds. Sheeting down rain the whole time - except, of course, when the Head Enforcer for the region conducted us inside for luncheon. Had to reinforce warming and water-repelling charms twice before returning to New London.
Leeds remains an altogether well-organised operation. There were some minor issues and of course, one or two open questions regarding security. The mud (both varieties) makes for an excellent brickworks, sorely needed for repairs throughout the realm and the muggle population appears well-kept and adequately deferential as befits their station. Interestingly, the administrator there has chosen to separate families, as a matter of course. Claims it elicits better compliance.
However, this is not borne out when compared to Preston, which also until recently kept the genders segregated and rewarded good behaviour with the privilege of conjugal visitation. Preston's disciplinary logs over the last two weeks have shown a marked increase and there are signs that its administrator (Rosalia Craig) may be losing her control over her charges.
At least her muggleborn denizens are tightly mastered, yet even these have undergone recent periods of unruliness, particularly leading up to and on Bonfire Night. When our party arrived, however, the camp had been turned out in good form and we were treated to a public reprisal for the mischief of Friday night. While their comrades staged a diversion, three mudblood youngsters had broken in to the dispensary and stolen strength potions. These, we were told, they distributed among several of their younger companions and together attempted to overpower the guards and make their way to an abandoned section of town, where they intended to hide.
The three instigators were apprehended and four of their accomplices as well. Craig also located their muggle parents and forced the children to watch while the adults were Cruciated in front of them. A fine lesson in theory but Craig seems to have under-estimated the degree to which separating mudbloods from their biological parents also divorces them from any feeling of kinship, nor from any responsibility to one another as a family. Thus it is hard to conceive what possible submission the method will secure when neither parent nor child has any contact with one another to re-inforce the necessity of docility. Moreover her redress, from what our party could discern, had quite the opposite of its desired effect - though not, as I say, out of familial loyalty. Instead of reminding those under her supervision of her power to give pain or succor, she merely added to their disquiet. Suspect she missed the point of the prisoner's dilemma. Return scheduled in two weeks to determine whether our recommendations have made any difference to her bottom line. (Oh, and Mr Kendall: note the date if you please and clear the calendar as necessary when you hear from Spencer-Wells' office to schedule the visit.)
In any event, back at the St James' house now and unable to accomplish nearly as much as I should like owing to the constant interruption of questions from my front office. (Which also reminds me, Mr Kendall: If you are so wholly incapable of brewing a decent cup of tea, leave it in future to the elf.) Should like to read the intelligence report from the Bonfire Night arrests in Green Park - if one could find them!
Leeds remains an altogether well-organised operation. There were some minor issues and of course, one or two open questions regarding security. The mud (both varieties) makes for an excellent brickworks, sorely needed for repairs throughout the realm and the muggle population appears well-kept and adequately deferential as befits their station. Interestingly, the administrator there has chosen to separate families, as a matter of course. Claims it elicits better compliance.
However, this is not borne out when compared to Preston, which also until recently kept the genders segregated and rewarded good behaviour with the privilege of conjugal visitation. Preston's disciplinary logs over the last two weeks have shown a marked increase and there are signs that its administrator (Rosalia Craig) may be losing her control over her charges.
At least her muggleborn denizens are tightly mastered, yet even these have undergone recent periods of unruliness, particularly leading up to and on Bonfire Night. When our party arrived, however, the camp had been turned out in good form and we were treated to a public reprisal for the mischief of Friday night. While their comrades staged a diversion, three mudblood youngsters had broken in to the dispensary and stolen strength potions. These, we were told, they distributed among several of their younger companions and together attempted to overpower the guards and make their way to an abandoned section of town, where they intended to hide.
The three instigators were apprehended and four of their accomplices as well. Craig also located their muggle parents and forced the children to watch while the adults were Cruciated in front of them. A fine lesson in theory but Craig seems to have under-estimated the degree to which separating mudbloods from their biological parents also divorces them from any feeling of kinship, nor from any responsibility to one another as a family. Thus it is hard to conceive what possible submission the method will secure when neither parent nor child has any contact with one another to re-inforce the necessity of docility. Moreover her redress, from what our party could discern, had quite the opposite of its desired effect - though not, as I say, out of familial loyalty. Instead of reminding those under her supervision of her power to give pain or succor, she merely added to their disquiet. Suspect she missed the point of the prisoner's dilemma. Return scheduled in two weeks to determine whether our recommendations have made any difference to her bottom line. (Oh, and Mr Kendall: note the date if you please and clear the calendar as necessary when you hear from Spencer-Wells' office to schedule the visit.)
In any event, back at the St James' house now and unable to accomplish nearly as much as I should like owing to the constant interruption of questions from my front office. (Which also reminds me, Mr Kendall: If you are so wholly incapable of brewing a decent cup of tea, leave it in future to the elf.) Should like to read the intelligence report from the Bonfire Night arrests in Green Park - if one could find them!
Private Message to Draco Malfoy
Date: 2010-11-08 09:22 pm (UTC)You will be happy to know that I approached Our Lord on the topic of Harry's fall at the week-end. He agrees that it is now patently too dangerous for him to return to playing while the Dementors are required near the school - but we discussed the revision to the plan and are removing the guards to beyond the village, where they will be kept supplied and ought to prevent a repeat of their appearance at future matches.
However - Our Lord made no ruling on whether you are to be grounded as well as Harry. This was clearly not a case of either of you straying into mischief or inviting mayhem and the man responsible for allowing the Dementors to leave their appointed holding area has been duly punished. I believe that you may continue playing if you wish to do - and do not feel that you must withdraw only because Harry has no broom. While there is any chance that he might suffer further fainting spells, it is altogether safer for him to remain without one.
My recommendation is that you remain on the side if you want to do. There is no reason you ought to deprive yourself of this luxury. Perhaps speak to your captain about shuffling players. There are reserve chasers but no reserve Seeker; perhaps you could hold Harry's place for him as Seeker until we have captured Snape and Macnair and then you can both take up your customary positions again. I'm sure once the situation is settled we can easily arrange for a new broom for Harry, perhaps a Firebolt. I know Cumulus was keen to have him try it.
Meanwhile, know that you have your mother's love and also that of your devoted,
Father
Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy
Date: 2010-11-09 01:12 am (UTC)Thank you for the note. I have to say I'm a little surprised that it's been decided that I can fly while Harry can't. I mean, I'm pleased to hear it, but I suppose I just assumed that whatever was decided would apply to me, too.
I don't know what he'll think. He'll probably say that I ought to fly, for the good of the team at least, but privately he may not be especially happy about it. I'll try to talk to him about it when he's, ah, less sensitive.
-Draco
Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy
Date: 2010-11-09 01:29 am (UTC)Third, I suspect that Our Lord has decided that your activities are too visible through the journals to blatantly link your well-being to Harry's.
Fourth, and I trust you to guard this information closely, Our Lord has grown progressively ... disinterested ... in aspects of Harry's development, particularly when it comes to questions of ensuring his affection, so long as He has Harry's continued obedience.
Most compellingly, however, is the simplest reason: Whether or not you play Quidditch is singularly unimportant to Our Lord. He has far more pressing matters of state to occupy His time.
Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy
Date: 2010-11-09 02:21 pm (UTC)But isn't Harry awfully important to our Lord? He hasn't gone on and decided that he's not important at all, has he? But that can't be, or else he wouldn't have all the security around the castle...
Re: Private Message to Draco Malfoy
Date: 2010-11-09 02:46 pm (UTC)