Ministry Ridiculousness
Apr. 26th, 2009 09:38 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_luciusAs one might imagine, I have been kept overlong at the Ministry all week-end. Dolores has become absolutely convinced that Black and his agents plan a disruption soon and insisted that every department develop contingencies. No contrary word on behalf of any of the Council did anything to dissuade her. Nevermind the fact that Black's manifestos, while vexing, have thus far been entirely and decidedly ineffective.
After the third Floo consultation within two hours' time, I found it easier to go there in person. Luckily my presence on the scene circumvented several potentially wasteful strategies, not to mention reinforced the need for calm and controlled planning. It is astonishing how otherwise cogent persons may be reduced to jumping at shadows when not properly advised.
The Prophet's article this morning, of course, is the other matter that occupied too much of the week-end:
The Protectorate spells guarding its citizens against invasion received an unscheduled test early Saturday morning. According to a source in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the warning system alerted Aurors to an attempted breach at approximately 1:40 a.m. on the morning of 25 April. It took only minutes for Hit-Wizards to pinpoint the penetration in the St George's Channel. They sent a squad immediately to investigate and repel any potential invasion.
A Hit-Wizard who was on the scene, speaking under condition of anonymity, described the encounter. He told our reporters that the team found two small craft anchored side-by-side with the protective wards between them. He and his colleagues moved swiftly to capture the suspects, who allegedly opened fire in response to the call to prepare to be boarded. The Hit-Wizard says he heard one of the fugitives call out 'Take me with you!' to his accomplice across the wards. The fugitive then apparently attempted to pass through the barrier and was thrown into the Channel.
Mr Michael Bainbridge and Mr Parvus Clark of the MLE sustained minor injuries in the skirmish. No fatalities were reported.
It goes on to describe the vessel spotted within the Protectorate side and offering a fairly generous reward for fruitful information on the whereabouts of it or its crew.
Naturally this occurrence was both an instructive test of the system and an opportunity for improvement. The response time was slower than acceptable and the investigating team clearly needed more support to adequately respond - though I expect Bella's training programme will improve that, as well.
I was wise to bring other projects with me, although I was not able to attend to them as I would have liked. Nor have I done more than page through the other entries on my journal-reading list for several days. Unfortunately, with the festivities coming up at week's end, I doubt very much that I shall be fully caught up for some time to come.
May see if Crispin can clear the morning's calendar.
After the third Floo consultation within two hours' time, I found it easier to go there in person. Luckily my presence on the scene circumvented several potentially wasteful strategies, not to mention reinforced the need for calm and controlled planning. It is astonishing how otherwise cogent persons may be reduced to jumping at shadows when not properly advised.
The Prophet's article this morning, of course, is the other matter that occupied too much of the week-end:
The Protectorate spells guarding its citizens against invasion received an unscheduled test early Saturday morning. According to a source in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, the warning system alerted Aurors to an attempted breach at approximately 1:40 a.m. on the morning of 25 April. It took only minutes for Hit-Wizards to pinpoint the penetration in the St George's Channel. They sent a squad immediately to investigate and repel any potential invasion.
A Hit-Wizard who was on the scene, speaking under condition of anonymity, described the encounter. He told our reporters that the team found two small craft anchored side-by-side with the protective wards between them. He and his colleagues moved swiftly to capture the suspects, who allegedly opened fire in response to the call to prepare to be boarded. The Hit-Wizard says he heard one of the fugitives call out 'Take me with you!' to his accomplice across the wards. The fugitive then apparently attempted to pass through the barrier and was thrown into the Channel.
Mr Michael Bainbridge and Mr Parvus Clark of the MLE sustained minor injuries in the skirmish. No fatalities were reported.
It goes on to describe the vessel spotted within the Protectorate side and offering a fairly generous reward for fruitful information on the whereabouts of it or its crew.
Naturally this occurrence was both an instructive test of the system and an opportunity for improvement. The response time was slower than acceptable and the investigating team clearly needed more support to adequately respond - though I expect Bella's training programme will improve that, as well.
I was wise to bring other projects with me, although I was not able to attend to them as I would have liked. Nor have I done more than page through the other entries on my journal-reading list for several days. Unfortunately, with the festivities coming up at week's end, I doubt very much that I shall be fully caught up for some time to come.
May see if Crispin can clear the morning's calendar.
Order Only
Date: 2009-04-27 04:21 am (UTC)They have a good description of the boat. Frank and Alice, if you want to use it again, you'll have to transfigure it to change the size, change the sail colour, add another mast or something. Or better yet, dry dock it out of sight until the hunt cools down a bit. I'm sorry, but you'd better not use it for any little fishing expeditions for awhile.
Secondly, they know it was being used in a smuggling operation, although that information is not being made public for now.
Third, they suspect there were muggleborn on board (my own department dropped that tidbit into my lap.)
Bill hasn't heard the slightest hint that they have any idea about the whereabouts of Moddey Dhoo, though, thanks to the Fidelius charm, of course. But security is certainly being beefed up, partly, no doubt, to the upcoming Tenth Anniversary celebrations. There seems to be a bit of an ongoing struggle about this, between Umbridge's office and the council re: how upfront they're choosing to be about putting on a security show. Umbridge wants a parade of power, but the council would prefer to keep all their arrangements very hush-hush. I almost hope Umbridge wins this one. We could use all the intel they're willing to give away for free that we can get. I'm afraid we won't be so lucky, however: Malfoy's cronies are better at hexing to settle the argument when tempers rise.
Re: Order Only
Date: 2009-04-27 06:42 pm (UTC)we've hidden the boat for the time being, and as we're good on supplies, no-one's going to have to leave the island for at least two weeks. should settle down a good deal by then, I'd warrant.
Re: Order Only
Date: 2009-04-28 03:07 am (UTC)We'll give you a hand with supplies if necessary, to help you keep your heads down as long as possible.
no subject
Date: 2009-04-27 04:59 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2009-04-27 01:50 pm (UTC)Thank you again for offering your former office so I had a place to meet privately with those who needed a word. I can hardly credit how many times I was forced to use it!
no subject
Date: 2009-04-27 11:57 pm (UTC)But that is immaterial. Lucius, I believe there is some year's-end business that I shall be attempting to arrange with the Board of Governors; I would like to meet with you, were it possible, to hash it out before the meeting proper. Is there a day sometime next week that might be appropriate?