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[alt_lucius]

Home from the Baddocks' - Pandora is still a trifle vexed that she was wrong several weeks ago and little Natalie has not yet exhibited her magic. Narcissa assured her that it will come in due course. Malcolm grows taller every time we see him and Lucy and Antonia seem well over their shy stage. Ari has been working with all three of them; we were treated to a short display of wand work before going in to supper.


Everyone is talking about this Londinarium periodical that debuted to-day. I daresay that leaving The Prophet was the best thing young Bobolis ever did. To say nothing of his flare for the dramatic - imagine pulling such a stunt merely to secure the interview in the first place. Well, the Witches' Institute certainly thanks him, and from what I hear, he has reason to thank them in return! If the next issue matches this one it promises a most ... interesting future for him. (In fact, Ari has a mind to let him photograph Kenwood, now that it is fully appointed.)

Regulus, wherever did he get those photographs? There are at least three Narcissa and I had never before seen. We had a long chuckle over that ludicrous shot of the traitor - quite a find on Bobolis' part, I must say.


Otherwise, lost track of the number of times I was drawn into conversations on some pretext or other, only to find that the assembly wished in reality to inquire about the state of the labour crews and the retraining progress. Do I strike them as a camp administrator? The training will progress as quickly as possible. As for the defective labour details, it is not surprising, although I must agree it is distressing. The Council have reviewed the reports and find that this season's flu epidemic has debilitated much more of the population of mudbloods and muggles than anticipated. The situation is in hand, however, and I am sure the Council will devise an appropriate solution before the holiday season reaches its peak. Nonetheless, it bears a mention to MacMillan so that the Labour Committee can once again assess the demand and supply of ready workers.


On a brighter note, saw Rookwood this week at the Ministry and he believes he has made something of a breakthrough in his research. If all goes well, it should alter the course not only of the labour shortage but the quality of that labour, once the industrial rates can again be increased.


Spoke to Clarriker this week as well, chiefly regarding the items Narcissa reported seeing at Laszlo's of London. Never fear, Regulus, we shall not deprive you of your local source. On the other hand, it would be mad not to ensure that other outlets may grasp at the same luxuries as can be found in the opulence of Doughty Conduit. Though you might wish to find another 'little gem' for a while anyway; if the article generates the sort of interest I suspect it shall, you may not be able to walk out your door without legions of admirers dogging your steps.

While on the subjects of contagions, cures and importations, Minerva, have you reviewed the consumption rates of your hospital wing this year? I hope that, despite the increased infectiousness of this year's colds and flu, we do not face another winter like last year, with dire predictions of mortality lest the Governors act expeditiously.


Looking ahead to the school holidays, have arranged with Walburga (and Rosalind) to accompany Miss Parkinson to her tea. (Must remember to gauge her reaction to the Londinarium since surely she will have seen it by now. Overall, expect her to be pleased with the light it puts on Reg and Orion, but of course, there are some distressing inclusions.) Deuced inconvenient, since Muggleborn Labour may go overlong, but then it also serves as a good reason to keep the meeting short. Pansy, you will be happy to know our strategy worked admirably well, just as I predicted. Your mother believes I am doing her the favour, rather than the other way round. Well done, my dear.

On the other hand, she has not grown so grateful as to defer her requests on her own behalf. Consented to allow her and her Mr Campbell to accompany Narcissa and myself to the release party for Solstice Night's new album. Apparently Mr Campbell fancies himself in the recording industry, among other things.


Finally, noted the incident at Hogwarts yesterday. Mr Marvolo, I am sure your esteemed Father has already assured you that you need feel neither remorse nor apprehension at displaying your abilities to good effect before your classmates. In a duel, such tactics are not only expected but often necessary. Your conduct was in no way unseemly, particularly not if provoked by events such as have been described. Think nothing of it.

Comments

[alt_regulus]

The pictures? That's an excellent question--and, dash it, that's the other thing I meant to ask last evening but forgot. Well, there's an excuse to owl, at least.

Yes, two of them came as a complete surprise to me; I was under the impression that I'd seen all of the photographs he planned to print. It's those two group shots: I didn't realise he had them, and I've no idea where he got hold of them. I hope he asked Barty for permission to publish the one. Obviously, Snape's permission was unnecessary. But the other one? I can't imagine. I mean to say, I can guess who took it, but I've no idea who's kept it all these years or would have given to Bobolis to print.

I gave him the one with the motorbike, of course. Priceless, isn't it?

Merlin, what time is it? And, also: if you were my sachet of headache powder, where might you be hiding?

[alt_narcissa]

Had a good night, then?

We were expecting to see you shortly after breakfast - shall I plan for luncheon, or do you think you'll be later yet?

Lucius never has the headache (at least not that he will admit) and says he has no idea what a 'sachet' is meant to look like, but as for me, I keep mine in the bedside table or in the medicinal cupboard.

[alt_regulus]

Thank you, yes. A few too many loyal toasts late in the evening, perhaps, but the launch party was a jolly affair.

One might argue that as I haven't breakfasted yet, I've not entirely missed my time. But I suspect that if one were to argue such a thing, it would be easily put down. Truth be told, though, mid-afternoon might be wiser: I don't believe I could face the Floo just yet.

As for the headache powder, it turns out mine was on the shelf in the broom cupboard.

I've no idea.

[alt_narcissa]

I didn't mean the party, exactly.

Don't trouble about pushing yourself; Fifi will be glad to set you up whenever you arrive, if you like. So long as you don't rush off to your room to repose in the country air, for I plan to conduct my own interview just as soon as ever I can.

Given how small your flat is, I'd imagine you could reach the broom cupboard from the bed, anyway, so perhaps that's not such a bad place for it. Perhaps you ought to write yourself a note for the next time you need it.

[alt_regulus]

Supper and afters were delicious, thanks.

I will prepare myself accordingly. Relatedly, I am primed to have my revenge at the card table. You'll remember we agreed to play with my decks this time.

Yes, I could affix little reminders to every cupboard door in the flat, but that would spoil the game. It's my small revenge on myself for overindulging in headache-inducing behaviours.

[alt_lucius]

If you propose to play my wife at Spite when you are less than duel-ready, I hope you are also prepared for the consequences, Reg.

[alt_regulus]

Oh, I have nothing but experience when it comes to losing gracefully. Hope springs eternal, however, in the foolish breast, so I intend to put up a good fight.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Fraternising were you? How cozy.

I'll make it a point to look him up so I can have a glimpse. And a few pointed words.

[alt_regulus]

What? Do you object?

Fair enough. But none at wand point.

[alt_lucius]

In my experience the press would rather ask forgiveness than permission, but perhaps Bobolis performed his due diligence. I was quite surprised to see the three of you, myself. Particularly in that ... context.

Did you also give him the other one - the one right after you joined the effort? I thought for a moment your mother, perhaps. If she'd known about the article ahead it might make for a different conversation altogether when we see her next.

Still I think she ought to be pleased with the coverage of your late father. Even if we are both less than happy that he thought to bring Miss Parkinson into it. Thank you, of course, for avoiding the subject so adroitly.

[alt_pansy]

What?

Am I part of the interview?

I didn't think I was nearly that interesting. What did they ask about?

[alt_lucius]

I haven't a copy to quote it to you, understand, I only glanced through it at Ari's yesterday. He mentioned you only in a roundabout way, Little Bit. It had to do with your visit with Mrs Black last year and was rather .... Well, let us say I am just as glad the interview did not succeed in sensationalising your stay in any manner.

[alt_regulus]

Agreed. He was decidedly out of bounds with that question.

[alt_pansy]

I'm sorry he put you on the spot like that. It's not like it's got anything to do with you, really, anyways.

[alt_regulus]

It's all right. It was really an oblique attempt to ask a prurient question about my family: he ought to have asked what he really wanted to know and not involved you.

[alt_pansy]

Well, that's a relief. I suppose I won't have to worry about flocks of reporters clamouring to interview me over hols, then.

I've finished the part in the book about the mail. It does make a little more sense now that I've read the entire thing. I wonder if it's on display in a museum somewhere?

[alt_regulus]

I'm not certain, but I think it may be in the collection at Buckingham.

[alt_pansy]

Well, if it's just about my spending time with Mrs Black, that's a rather silly question to ask. It's hardly newsworthy. If anyone ever were to ask me about it in an interview or something, I would laugh and just say it was none of their business.

[alt_lucius]

I wish it had been that simple, Little Bit. But nevermind. It was in fact none of his business, and as Regulus says it was really a roundabout attempt to probe at something that had nothing to do with you.

[alt_regulus]

I was responsible for that one, but I had it from Mother. She was aware that the interview was going to happen. I gave her a copy of the journal's prospectus, which rattles on about its attention to London's prominent families and their contributions to its history and future.

We haven't spoken since I gave the interview. And there's been no sign of her owl at my window. I'm not sure how to read the silence.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Where the deuce did that picture come from? And no, there was no attempt to ask my permission.

No wonder you were nervous about this thing coming out. You couldn't have warned me I was going to be splashed across its pages?

[alt_regulus]

What are you on about? Splashed across its pages?

You knew I'd told him about the day we joined Our Lord's cause. I told you that.

And I had no idea about the picture until I saw it in print. Can you think where he got it? I don't even remember who took it, do you? Yaxley? Avery? I don't remember the occasion at all.