Inattention and Distraction

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.