Minister and Holiday Planning
Dec. 3rd, 2009 09:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_luciusInterminable meeting with the Minister to-day. At least Miss Robins' tea continues to compensate, a little, for Dolores' usual waffle.
(I must tell you, Regulus, that she remains quite put out over the outcome of the auction. I cannot think what she might have been like had she won, but by the third sidelong mention I made it clear that the matter interested me not in the slightest and you even less, I suspect.)
Was treated then to a litany of matters requiring the Council's and Lord Protector's input. Noted with some surprise that nearly forty per cent of the muggles dispatched to fulfill work orders have been returned as 'defective,' by which, further inquiry discovered, they mean ill. Must determine whether their susceptibility is a side-effect of having been kept dormant so long or whether this strain of flu is somehow more virulent than previously suspected.
Also pointed out the MLE's efforts to locate certain persons suspected of providing inflammatory and false reports to the traitor Black. Authorised the Minister to offer rewards for information leading to a successful arrest of anyone colluding or conspiring with the traitor or his guerillas, and advised her, per meeting with Scrimgeour on Monday, that the MLE are considering as a suspect any person who in the course of work has contact inside the camps and subsequently falls missing. (Also recommended they review the department attendance records throughout the Ministry and camps for additional intelligence.) It is also possible that Black's men are kidnapping those whom they believe may be coerced into giving up details which Black may then misconstrue in order to continue the public panic.
Endured her requests for additional funds for various projects and departments; ignored her simpering over the boys' return to their Quidditch side and the state of her Christmas shopping. Had to return her to the agenda more than usual, which again, I think, attests to her disappointment of the week-end.
Discussed Draco's Christmas request with Ari over tea, and later with Narcissa. Believe we have reached an accord on the matter. Ari's advice was quite sound and valued, given that his eldest is a few years ahead of Draco, giving him a perspective beyond that of our recollection of our own youth.
Holiday season is already in full bloom. Narcissa has scheduled the winter garden preparations early next week; we are considering whether to open Kensington during the week between Christmas and New Year's, though I doubt there should be the need. Crispin surprised me by having the elves lay in toddy and punch early and he has already finished compiling the invitations from last year (acceptances, declines) so that Narcissa may finalise her batch to-day. (Unsure whether to think he is in such a merry frame of mind because he has renewed his attention to his work, or because he has found a new distraction from it.)
Pansy: Received your owl. In light of the decision rendered by the courts, I see no reason we should not be able to spend some time together. In fact, where a month ago it might have been necessary for you to approach your mother with the request first, these days, it seems she is very interested in my friendship again. I think we both know the reason why. But let us not dismiss our opportunities when they present themselves. I have been thinking I might go with you to Mrs Black, which would accomplish two of your goals together, wouldn't it? Still, likely the prudent thing will be for you to express your wishes to her directly, but of course I shall consent.
Regarding your other topics: Your father used to use the Tintinnabulum hex quite effectively (it causes a ringing in one's opponent's ears) and I recall a half-year when we were all very fond of Heliovox, which although it is in no way debilitating, used to provide hours of amusement, particularly if aimed at sixth- and seventh-year boys. You might also try Nebulosus Visio, which blurs the vision of the opponent and was another of your father's favourites. Though that is a little more advanced than second-year work. It is also never too soon to practise casting silently - the really accomplished duellists never disadvantage themselves by announcing their intentions.
We shall be able to discuss other matters in more detail when we see each other.
(I must tell you, Regulus, that she remains quite put out over the outcome of the auction. I cannot think what she might have been like had she won, but by the third sidelong mention I made it clear that the matter interested me not in the slightest and you even less, I suspect.)
Was treated then to a litany of matters requiring the Council's and Lord Protector's input. Noted with some surprise that nearly forty per cent of the muggles dispatched to fulfill work orders have been returned as 'defective,' by which, further inquiry discovered, they mean ill. Must determine whether their susceptibility is a side-effect of having been kept dormant so long or whether this strain of flu is somehow more virulent than previously suspected.
Also pointed out the MLE's efforts to locate certain persons suspected of providing inflammatory and false reports to the traitor Black. Authorised the Minister to offer rewards for information leading to a successful arrest of anyone colluding or conspiring with the traitor or his guerillas, and advised her, per meeting with Scrimgeour on Monday, that the MLE are considering as a suspect any person who in the course of work has contact inside the camps and subsequently falls missing. (Also recommended they review the department attendance records throughout the Ministry and camps for additional intelligence.) It is also possible that Black's men are kidnapping those whom they believe may be coerced into giving up details which Black may then misconstrue in order to continue the public panic.
Endured her requests for additional funds for various projects and departments; ignored her simpering over the boys' return to their Quidditch side and the state of her Christmas shopping. Had to return her to the agenda more than usual, which again, I think, attests to her disappointment of the week-end.
Discussed Draco's Christmas request with Ari over tea, and later with Narcissa. Believe we have reached an accord on the matter. Ari's advice was quite sound and valued, given that his eldest is a few years ahead of Draco, giving him a perspective beyond that of our recollection of our own youth.
Holiday season is already in full bloom. Narcissa has scheduled the winter garden preparations early next week; we are considering whether to open Kensington during the week between Christmas and New Year's, though I doubt there should be the need. Crispin surprised me by having the elves lay in toddy and punch early and he has already finished compiling the invitations from last year (acceptances, declines) so that Narcissa may finalise her batch to-day. (Unsure whether to think he is in such a merry frame of mind because he has renewed his attention to his work, or because he has found a new distraction from it.)
Pansy: Received your owl. In light of the decision rendered by the courts, I see no reason we should not be able to spend some time together. In fact, where a month ago it might have been necessary for you to approach your mother with the request first, these days, it seems she is very interested in my friendship again. I think we both know the reason why. But let us not dismiss our opportunities when they present themselves. I have been thinking I might go with you to Mrs Black, which would accomplish two of your goals together, wouldn't it? Still, likely the prudent thing will be for you to express your wishes to her directly, but of course I shall consent.
Regarding your other topics: Your father used to use the Tintinnabulum hex quite effectively (it causes a ringing in one's opponent's ears) and I recall a half-year when we were all very fond of Heliovox, which although it is in no way debilitating, used to provide hours of amusement, particularly if aimed at sixth- and seventh-year boys. You might also try Nebulosus Visio, which blurs the vision of the opponent and was another of your father's favourites. Though that is a little more advanced than second-year work. It is also never too soon to practise casting silently - the really accomplished duellists never disadvantage themselves by announcing their intentions.
We shall be able to discuss other matters in more detail when we see each other.