Shocking

[alt_lucius]

Never have I seen such a flagrant violation of the rules of sport as in to-day's Quidditch match. Had we not been there to witness with our own eyes, I should never have believed the report.

It is lucky for all concerned that Marvolo had the opportunity to end the match when he did; moreover that he was not harmed severely. The incident, naturally, has thrown all our plans into disarray. We shall be laying tea adjacent to the hospital wing, so that we may remain close by in case of need.

I have already ordered a full investigation to determine who hexed that bludger, you may be sure! I expect Minerva and Madam Hooch to have an answer before supper.

Comments

[alt_pansy]

So they don't know what happened yet, for certain?

Is Harry going to be all right? When his arm went all rubbery, that just looked awful.

[alt_lucius]

We know that it was hexed; that much was clear. We do not know whether it is another tasteless prank gone too far, such as the writing at Halloween, or whether it bears a more sinister intent.

Fortunately, Harry will be fine by morning, though I daresay he is in no pleasant mood. And no wonder; regrowing bones is an arduous process, as I understand.

[alt_pansy]

I'm glad he'll be all right. And he did win the match, so that's something.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed, he showed great determination. His Father would be proud.

I'm sorry we rushed off after Harry and left you and Reg in the stands. Did you get any tea at all?

And what were you scribbling during the match, hm? Every time I glanced over you were writing.

[alt_regulus]

No need to fret, I think.

Now, tea!

And no more books. They make you pensive, and that's no good.

[alt_percy]

I hope that Harry Marvolo's recovery will be quick, Mr Malfoy.

Let me assure you that my House's team is just as anxious as you to learn who could have hexed that bludger. It was indeed very shocking.

[alt_lucius]

Yes, one of the many advanages of wizarding physic is its ability to heal almost any non-lifethreatening injury and this is no exception. Though it must be observed your Head of House made an innocuous broken bone that much more arduous to mend.

And no doubt your twin brothers' proximity to the incident speaks to your own interest in proving their innocence. For his part, Harry does not believe the perpetrator to have acted in malice. As to whether he is correct or merely thinking wishfully, we shall see.

Whenever events affecting the Lord Protector's son are in question, I am sure you agree the utmost diligence is appropriate.

[alt_percy]

Of course, sir.

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[alt_bill]

Smug bastard. As if Fred or George would do such a thing.

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[alt_arthur]

You have to admit that the boys have been known to commit more than the occasional foul in their Quidditch careers, son.

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[alt_bill]

Cobbing or blatching, sure. Any Beater would in the heat of the game, truth to tell. But hexing a bludger? They'd never do that. They'd think it'd be beneath them.

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[alt_arthur]

Yes, well, Lucius Malfoy may not particularly care what the truth is. That's what got your mother and me worried. Particularly after Ron's escapade at the beginning of the year.

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[alt_sirius]

I'm not worried about Fred and George, Arthur, I'm worried about Minerva. Maybe it was only a matter of time before he dragged her name into the mess.

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[alt_molly]

Oh, wonderful. Yet another thing to fret about.

She hasn't responded at all to my earlier query this afternoon, asking what was going on. Not surprising if she's having to deal with the likes of Lucius Malfoy, but still, I wish she would pick up her quill and let us know!

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[alt_mcgonagall]

I'm here now, Molly, dear.

You needn't be concerned. All is well with me, apart from the fact that I still do believe that Carrow to be a madman. My name hasn't been too besmirched yet.

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[alt_molly]

Language, Bill!

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[alt_bill]

Oh, come on, Mum. He can't read it, and you can't tell me you're not thinking it yourself.

[alt_regulus]

Miss Parkinson and I are having a lovely tea in the kitchens, cousin. The elves have spared nothing in setting us our feast. Linen, silver, finger sandwiches, cakes.

Give our regards to the young hero. I trust the Matron has him on the mend already?

Send for me when the hour for leave-taking arrives. Until then, I am comfortably ensconced and in very pleasant company. Worry not for us!

[alt_lucius]

Which answers my question to her about her tea and her whereabouts.

He'll be back to rights by morning, Pomfrey says. Until then he is trying his best to rest - if, that is, he can be left alone for more than a few moments at a stretch.

No doubt you and Miss Parkinson are hatching some fantastical picaresque about your exploits on behalf of the Lord Protector.

[alt_regulus]

That's ours to know and yours to wonder, as you are not here to join in. Now do go away and leave us to our pleasant afternoon.

[alt_hydra]

Might I join you and Pansy?
If you wouldn't mind?

From,
Hydra

[alt_regulus]

Of course, you may. Provided you know your way to the kitchens.

Shall we send one of the elves for you?

[alt_hydra]

I do know the way!
It was one of the first things I learnt.

From,
Hydra

[alt_regulus]

Smart girl! A very practical first thing to learn.

[alt_lucius]

It is hardly necessary to be rude, my young cousin. For a good many reasons, which you may remember if you gave the matter more than a passing thought.

[alt_narcissa]

Regulus, we're leaving. If you can tear yourself away from the scintillating company of elves and urchins.

[alt_regulus]

On my way. Should I meet you in the entrance hall or the hospital wing? I believe Miss Parkinson might wish to come along and say good-bye herself.

[alt_narcissa]

Entrance hall. We've left Harry trying to get some sleep. Of course Pansy may come with you, and Hydra if she is still there as well.

[alt_regulus]

Hydra's gone off to her room. She tired of us, I think. The day's excitements may have been too much for her.

[alt_rodolphus]

Fraught with worry for her future husband, no doubt. Poor Duckie. Cheers for entertaining her.

[alt_regulus]

She did seem a bit preoccupied. Perhaps you are right about the reasons. She didn't say, and we didn't pry. She seems to enjoy school reasonably well. I'm not sure I was so well-adjusted my first year. I recall feeling rather miserable until Christmas, at least. At any rate, yours is too polite to let on if things are not to her liking.

[alt_bellatrix]

Why are things continually going awry at this school? It's just a load of children. Can they really be so difficult to manage?

[alt_lucius]

I have all but given up on Minerva McGonagall's ability to maintain an atmosphere devoid of calamity whilst Marvolo is in her charge. There is no question of her administrative capacity, but it seems that from the moment he departed his Father's side he has been a catalyst for mayhem - or at least, certainly an attractor for it.

While I am certain she is more than capable of managing children under normal circumstances, we may be forced to the realisation that she is out of her depth where Marvolo is concerned.

[alt_draco]

Father, I don't think Harry looks for trouble, and I don't see why he attracts it. You'd think people would be scared of trying to mess about with him. I don't understand it.

I tried to get in the way of the bludger but it would just go around me every time. And then I felt like I should be focusing on chasing, and really, I just didn't know what to do.

[alt_lucius]

It is vexing, I understand, son, but by nature of who he is, and the belief that at Hogwarts he is attainable, he is like to become a target. There are a number of people and organisations with an interest in seeing that he comes to harm.

As for your part, it was perfectly plain that you were doing what you could. Your beaters could have been more on the spot, as well - a fact sadly lost on your captain, it would seem. (Though not, I will note, on the opposing team's beaters.) It was a good instinct to impose yourself in lieu of being able to beat the bludger away. However, as unacceptable as it would have been to allow Harry to come to harm, it was equally distressing to your mother to see you attempt something so dangerous quite so often!

Nonetheless, you acquitted yourself well on the pitch, son, and we're both very proud of you.

[alt_draco]

Do tell Mother again that I'm sorry, but I had to do something.

Do you think that the bludger was maybe meant to just be a prank? Sort of like what you said about the person who claimed to open the Chamber of Secrets? Maybe it isn't really someone trying to hurt Harry this time, but justa person having a laugh in a really roundabout, thoughtless way?

[alt_lucius]

She knows, Draco. But knowing a thing, it does not always follow that one is happy for its necessity. You know that there are times when we all must suffer through actions we find distasteful.

Had the bludger been the work of a student, then I should be more likely to think it born of the same mischievous, if impolitic, spirit that prompted the Chamber message. Now I am not so sure. I suppose it depends, in part, on what your uncle finds when he examines the evidence.

[alt_narcissa]

Yes, dear, Mother knows what you were trying to do, and you were right to do it, of course. I just hate the thought of anything happening to you - or Harry, either of you. You flew brilliantly.

And our tea was rather scattered, wasn't it? Well, nevermind; I shall be certain to send a whole fresh jar of plum jam to get you through to the holidays.

Don't fret about the bludger, darling. Your father and uncle shall sort it all, I'm sure.

[alt_sally_anne]

That was so brave of you Draco. I was sitting with Daphne and also with Belinda and Morag, and Belinda couldn't bear to watch but Daphne and Morag and I saw it all. We all thought you were really brave to try to get in the way of that mad bludger, and your flying was brilliant.

I'm glad Madam Hooch said it couldn't have been a student because I don't think any student at Hogwarts would want to hurt Harry. I mean I lived last summer with Oliver Wood and he's the captain of the Gryffindor team! But even he never had anything bad to say about Harry.

[alt_bellatrix]

I'm sure that our Lord will speak with Rufus if he wants an official inquiry done on these "bludgers," and knows that I will get it underway at once. If Draco's account is accurate, the fact that the bludger appears to have been targeting Harry specifically is of grave concern.

We certainly don't want a repeat of last year's events.

[alt_lucius]

No, indeed, we do not. It was highly irregular. I did meet with Madam Hooch before we departed and she confirmed that it had been tampered with, but she is of the opinion that the spell linking it to Harry was beyond the ability of a student.

I do not know whether an increased MLE presence at the school is warranted, but of course it shall be as Our Lord wills. Meanwhile, Rodolphus' opinion of the bludger may be of great assistance in tracing the source of the threat.

[alt_rodolphus]

Been reading along, just thinking I'd fancy a look at the offending quidditch paraphernalia.

[alt_lucius]

I am sure the Headmistress would welcome your expertise.

[alt_narcissa]

And I would wager that Hydra would welcome a visit from her father, as well. It would do her a world of good.