Inattention and Distraction

[alt_lucius]

It has become clear that many have begun to neglect their duties with regard to the journals, including the obligation of every citizen to report sedition and to maintain vigilance for comments of a suspicious nature. Sadly, those of us who care the most for our present and future health of our society are, naturally, among those with the least available leisure to spend on the medium's proper upkeep.

Equally obvious is the evidence that their constant exposure to students has rendered at least two of the mudbloods at Hogwarts dangerously volatile. Have owled both Minerva and Amycus regarding the unacceptable tenor of last night's exchanges. (Minerva, I know you are already dealing with the girl; but it is not unusual for Amycus to become distracted, in his own particularly fecund way, and miss his opportunity for truly reforming the boy. Even had he reacted immediately, though, I fear his methods only reinforce the creature's pretensions. It fancies itself quite the martyr, indeed!)

My own efforts to sustain surveillance over the journals has been interrupted not least by the latest chapter, today - just when I have allowed Valerian to run an errand, naturally - she presumes to deliver me an ultimatum. Not that it requires answer, I suppose: I have no intention of bowing to her ridiculous demands; but neither can she truly afford to uphold her end of her threat.

These preoccupations, however, these annoyances, among other necessities, pull one from the equally vital and unceasing work that is monitoring these books.

Comments

Order Only: Oh, bugger

[alt_sirius]

Right, I was afraid of something like this.

Time for another 'distraction,' I think....

[alt_seamus]

Mr Malfoy Im not sure I understand. What if we see sedici sedition who are we supposed to tell? Because I thought probably if I saw something theres a grownup who saw it too. So I havent worried about it with the journals. I dont want to be a pest. I mean theres another entry from that man with the Grim things but of course thats in your diary too isnt it? So I dont need to tell anyone. Especially if everyone told you it would be annoying wouldnt it?

I want to know what my duty is. So that I can do it.

[alt_lucius]

That's all right; it's a fair question, lad. You're quite right that we all see Black's ravings, unfortunately, much as we all see when one of your Prefects or professors announces a meeting or an exam by the same magic. We are well aware of these outward acts.

I suppose, were you to see something from one of your fellow students, or even an adult if you were in conversation, and something struck you as problematic, you ought to ask Mr Rosier about it, or a teacher. They can help you determine whether the remark is legitimately a cause for concern, as well as let you know whether it is something they, too, have already noted.

Your diligence does you credit, Mr Finnegan. Stephen will be very pleased to see how you are coming along.

[alt_seamus]

I think I understand sir. Thank you.

[alt_draco]

I don't read anything that mudblood writes, Father. I shouldn't, should I? Though sometimes I want to know what he's saying so I can put him in his place.

Who's threatening you? I thought Mother would tell me more about what's happening in her Owl but she didn't.

[alt_lucius]

There's certainly no need for you to subject yourself to his or the other mudbloods' scribblings, no. Though if you wish to look, as you say, you will gain a greater sense of the problems we all face and the constant battle to maintain our rightful place. Over the holidays, we can talk about how best to gradually assume a more active role in protecting yourself and your fellow students from and detecting undesirable content - but as I told young master Finnegan, no-one expects such a duty from you children just yet. There are other tools which will be at your disposal to help guide you later, as well, as you know.

As for threats, I have said nothing to you directly because I know you already harbour some ill-will toward Miss Parkinson, but the issue is only about her very peripherally. It is a matter between her mother and myself, and while Pansy may be the (alleged) subject, she is not truly the cause nor does she bear blame. But since you ask, it gives me the opportunity to tell you, straight-out, the situation:

Her mother, having been more absent in her upbringing than even I suspected, has suddenly taken a notion into her head that my own intentions on her daughter's behalf are not honourable. I know her motivations that fuel this belief, and they range from infantile to spiteful, though possibly they include no small measure of guilt for her own years of near-neglect. So you see she has gone right 'round the twist,' as it were, and were she anyone else, the situation could be resolved swiftly and decisively. However, in this case, the simplest solution is also one that would undo the attention I have provided to my goddaughter to date, and I fear might damage Pansy's fragile grip on her own perspective.

In any event, it is nothing much to worry about, nor do I wish you to show Pansy any resentment on my behalf. I know her tendency to be addled and I am aware that it distresses you (as it does me, son!) - I see now that this is likely a trait inherited, rather than born of her peculiarly solitary nature since her father's death. It bears some thinking about, long-term.

But it's nothing to do with the current fracas - simply an observation and perhaps an explanation for her constant flirtation with wickedness. Hence let us treat her no more harshly than occasion warrants, and condemn the act, but not necessarily the actor. That said, if you suspect her contrition to be willfully false, or that her commentary in the journals belies her behaviour outside these pages, I rely on you to be my eyes at school, in lessons and in the common room.

Perhaps I should have owled all this, rather than say it openly, but I suppose it doesn't matter. The fact is that her mother and I are in disagreement; it may centre on Pansy but it is not her fault; and aside from affecting my temper and wasting my time, it is more nuisance than cause for concern. All of which is probably more than you really needed to know, but it is good, occasionally, to speak to one another as men, is it not?

[alt_draco]

All right, Father. I'm not sure I understand everything, but Pansy's Mother seems like an awful embarrassment to our family.

[alt_lucius]

Thankfully the Parkinsons are not actually blood relations.