A Quiet Day

[alt_lucius]

Realising to-day that while I have used the journals for various communications of late, it has been quite some time since I had any leisure to simply update.


Magical Commerce met Monday; nearly all signs of last year's drop in trade seem to have faded and all sectors report traffic back almost to the levels they were at before the illness struck. Crispin appears to be settling in to his new duties well enough. He reports a number of new licence applications for these so-called reduction ... clinics, spas, some of them call themselves clubs or hotels. Every one of them has its own 'guaranteed' method to produce results, naturally. But it is difficult to conceive a better solution when so many wizards have become enamoured of the pies, pasties and various other concoctions made almost entirely from transfigured foods. Suet and fat, most of them; no nutritional value whatever. Have banned Hooper going to the vendors he prefers as he had gained at least a stone since starting with me just over two months ago. At that rate he should have been able to sink a frigate by summertime.


Fudge's anniversary luncheon went well indeed. His address on the WWN is scheduled for early February and ought to be enlightening as well as affirming. Our nation is strong thanks to the measures which Our Lord Protector has adopted.


Speaking of the WWN, heard that the second broadcast channel has been picking up audience. Peale's last report claimed that the new original content - a serial drama and an interview show - have been among the most popular offerings, judging from the post he has received. Of course, the music, particularly the newer music, had a considerable jump in popularity over the holidays, but has dropped off now that the students are back at school. He's asked to monitor it again during the Easter holidays to determine whether they are correlated.

(Incidentally, Draco and Pansy: Saw Nolan last week and he asked me to be sure to remember him to you both, and to tell you not to be too discouraged. His suggestions come from experience. Any idiot can collide words until they scan and rhyme; it takes something altogether different to write a song that captures the attention of an entire country. And he said by all means to keep working on material.)


Everyone at the Elysian was talking about Hogwarts' foray into dramatics, even on Tuesday when Ari and I were there. He, of course, knew that Ptolemy read many of Miss Moon's early drafts and had already made several suggestions to her, resulting in the script that the Governors approved before the project went forward. Still, he was not certain he would attend - and small wonder, as the closer of the first half dwells on Serena's murder. Believe we have all been thinking of the past more often of late, thanks to the Londinarium article. Moody and his minions have much for which to answer, when we bring them to justice. Leicester was particularly difficult for more than one reason but it was not the only day we sacrificed heavily for the privileges we all now enjoy. One cannot regret the cost in light of the eventual victory, but I do wish I had been able to finish capture him either on the day we freed the Ministry of Bagnold and Dumbledore or on that day Tony died. It's fitting Miss Moon assigned him a cat as a familiar: The blackguard has at least as many lives as one, despite how often we whittled away at him.

But I confess it was a great pleasure to run the Ouroboros' course last night with so many others. In a way it was more like the days of old when we were the few who had the courage to follow through on Our Lord's magnificent plan. Certainly, we did not chase quarry near so ... appealing ... as the creatures Travers arranged for us yester-night, nor so willing victims. Must say that Narcissa's training regimen has been nothing but good for her. She kept pace every bit as well as Malvasius and Forney, even Bella at times. (Not that Narcissa was ever less than skilled in duelling, but the course has some sections that are calculated to be challenging even for warlocks in their prime.) I daresay she surprised quite a few members of MLE - and I hope made them fear for their profession, if they can't surpass her!

The only drawback to such a spirited celebration was that neither of us cared to go further than Kensington at evening's end, nor even to-day. We have remained in Town and in a state of utter relaxation - necessary, but something of a lost day. Not even sure what we were supposed to do this afternoon, but whatever it was, our apologies. I trust that the event took place without any notice that we were not in attendance. I do recall we had seats for the opera this evening, but we both agree that's out; we shall re-arrange to attend another performance.

To-morrow, we do not have the luxury of late lie-ins and lazy afternoon teas, however. That much I do recall without consulting my books.


Oh, and Barty - assuming you've any time for journals outside of throwing yourself on Ms Drumgoole's mercy: Should she refuse to forgive you, perhaps the hair ornaments Gaude gave you will convince Miss Golightly to return with you to the ring.

Comments

Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

It was 'Golightly', then? I may have given her the hair bobs already. I confess I'm not certain of some details.

And yes, yes, I'm aware how utterly entertaining it is that my part is to be played by girl. You'll be pleased to know that Maebh has made a meal of that point as well.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

No idea, Barty; I'm working off your information from this morning. But I believe she was the blonde. Had to be: Mordant called the ginger one 'Kit Vesper' and the brunette was using 'Xeni Lynd' for a monniker. None of the others needed distinction, nor did they merit it.

Nonetheless, I heard Claudius and Malvasius making plans to use their pensieves before retiring for the night, I assume to make sure they can produce the memories at an opportune moment. Confident you could acquire the phials ... if you've any interest in recalling the details, that is.

Surely you were not too far gone to remember Truncheon and Mordant re-enacting page 46 of the script for you? Complete with falsetto.

I mention it only because I know you'll want to be precise in your vengeance.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Quite.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Besides - it's not as if you're the only one to be played by a young woman. It's not surprising that more witches were interested in the project, though I daresay Miss Moon's original intention was for a smaller cast.

Merlin, even Rod's being played by a witch. It's only the timing, Barty, or they'd be taking the piss out of one of the others. Well, the timing and that you rise to the bait so temptingly.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Indeed. And it remains to be seen whether any of the wizards have talent sufficient to their roles.

You're to be played by one of the Higgs, yes? I wonder.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Oh, I think your expectations are entirely too high, Barty. I'm fairly certain the whole enterprise will be perfectly dreadful with perhaps one or two glimpses of true skill at theatrics. But it keeps them engaged and undeniably provides the YPL with appropriate material - on a number of levels, in fact.

If it were not being played on the same day as a Slytherin Quidditch match, we might have been able to avoid attending. Though in truth I think Narcissa would want to go, if only to applaud Draco. Personally I can think of few evenings less pleasant or desirable - one of Dolores' holiday parties, perhaps - but one must show support as Governor if not as Councilwizard.

But I hardly expected you to be reading your journal at this hour. Or is your hostess occupied with her patrons?

[alt_pansy]

Oh! Thank you for passing that along.

So I guess he didn't end up using it after all, then?

[alt_lucius]

My understanding is that he felt he did not have the right band for the song, or that the song needed sufficient rework for the bands he had at his disposal that by the time he could produce it, the moment would have passed.

He did make a point of saying he thought the lyric clever, Little Bit. And I think he appreciated the information you've passed to him, regarding the musical tastes of your peers. (Well done, that.)

[alt_pansy]

Well, that's something. And he's the sort of person that wouldn't just say that sort of thing to be flattering, either, I don't think. I'm glad he thought that it would be worth my while to keep working at song-writing, and I really did appreciate his taking the time to hear us.

And it is nift to think that survey of mine really did some good!

[alt_pansy]

And I understand about Mr Baddock not wanting to see the play.

I've talked to Ptolemy about it some, and it is sad, what happened to his mum. But he's proud of her, just like I'm proud of my dad. And he's glad that she can be remembered for what she did.

He was awfully kind after the article came out, too. Everyone at school has been really decent, actually. And Chastity Derwent also made a point of coming up to me after she got the part playing my dad, and she said she'd try and do his part justice.

[alt_lucius]

Yes.

But they could hardly do otherwise, could they? Unless perhaps they were foolish enough to attract entirely the wrong sort of attention.

Don't worry, Little Bit. I don't think any of us who were there that day expect the play to be accurate - and in fact, Miss Moon has taken pains to put humour and a touch of farce into a situation that, at the time, was anything but funny. Oh, the facts are there, and I know she relied heavily on the histories and our testimonies afterward, particularly in the war crimes tribunals, but overall it is not meant to be an historical representation any more than, say, Shakespeare's histories are strictly speaking a perfect account of what happened.

But I'm sure no one would choose to interpret any of us, living or dead, with less than respect.

Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_pansy]

Everyone except Mr and Miss Professor Carrow. They've been saying things, and I'm not quite sure what to think about it.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

I can imagi

What sort of things?

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_pansy]

Just

Well, Miss Professor Carrow is taking over the Duelling club from Professor Acton, and when I said I was looking forward to the next meeting, she said that I shouldn't expect to get much out of it, because I'd most likely be slow on the draw just like my my Father.

And that it was a good thing I wasn't interested in Dark Arts, because father certainly didn't have the constitution for it.

And what Mr Professor Carrow said in my journal, well.

They didn't think very highly of him, did they?

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Hold on, I thought Raz Professor Lestra - oh. You mean assisting with duelling? I see.

I shouldn't worry about what the Carrows think. About your father or anyone else.

But if either of them murmurs in your ear again, do tell me what they said.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_pansy]

I shall.

[alt_amycus]

'Do his part justice'?

Well, that won't take very much effort on her part, will it?

[alt_lucius]

Considering your own part in the events of the actual battle for the Ministry, you had best be very, very considerate of your next words.

Though perhaps not quite so inaccurate as one might suppose. A hero bested by a fool, isn't it?

[alt_amycus]

Justice would be to bow out altogether and wait it out like he did.

(Have no idea what you're blathering about, Malfoy. But I suppose you mean you've actually taken the time to read the bloody thing.

I have better things to do.)

Private Message to Amycus Carrow

[alt_lucius]

One of those better things really should be contemplating the wisdom of calling a patriot's loyalty or his sacrifice into question.

Another of those things ought to be watching your mouth - and your sister's - around Miss Parkinson. Or you will discover just how good a duellist I am, Carrow. And unless I misremember, you do not want to test me on that score.

I certainly have the constitution for the Dark Arts, as you well know. Nor have I any qualms about using them on a drunkard or his slattern, so take my advice, Carrow: Fuck. Off.

Re: Private Message to Amycus Carrow

[alt_amycus]

Showing your true colours, peacock?

Threats are for the weak.

Re: Private Message to Amycus Carrow

[alt_lucius]

Threats? Yes. All the more so when levied at children.

Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Did he only mention the lyrics? What about the tune itself?

Re: Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

I didn't ask. I got the impression both would have needed a little rework.

But he definitely meant to encourage you both to keep working.

Is a continued partnership a possibility, then? For a while I thought you might have given up on her.

Re: Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_draco]

We will, then.

We're getting along quite well, actually, but she still thinks Weasley and Longbottom are good company, and I don't think anything I say will change her mind.

[alt_percy]

The cast of the Liberation of the Ministry held their first read through this afternoon. I did not audition myself (being very aware of looming N.E.W.T.s), but I came to hear the first rehearsal, partly out of curiosity and partly to show support (my girlfriend Penelope Clearwater has been heavily involved in the planning stages and will be acting as the stage manager). Of course our students are novice actors, and some are better than others, but the seed of something quite splendid is there, I think. Karoline, Penny and the rest of the planning team were quite relieved and excited afterward.

Naturally, the students are also all quite inspired by the fact that we feel so privileged to be depicting such stirring and pivotal events in our history.

[alt_lucius]

Oh, it's certainly a project with a number of laudable goals, Mr Weasley, not least of which is to imbue its participants with a palpable sense of the importance of those events. And of course the Governors have all read Miss Moon's script and approved it or the effort would not have been encouraged by Professor Sinistra. And I've no doubt that she has cast the show as well as possible given the amateur pool at her disposal. But as you say, the performance is bound to be ... uneven - and of course, as with any school undertaking, professional quality is not strictly speaking the point, nor should it be the expectation of any spectator.

Nonetheless, what has most people talking are the choices of who has been cast to play whom - particularly when there were clearly not enough willing young men to fill all the available parts. We are also intrigued to see so many fifth-years and above wishing to participate - helping support the project, one could understand, especially those of you who are already involved in counselling the YPL students, but taking an on-stage rôle is another thing altogether. It was the Governors' understanding (and I believe Professor Sinistra's as well) that the majority of participants would be the YPL members.

In your case, it seems to me quite sensible that between a counsellor's duties, NEWTs, and the obligations of Head Boy, you chose to hold yourself apart. I shouldn't wonder if several of your classmates find themselves regretting their commitment as term continues. Of course, it is up to the individual student to decide his own capacity for himself, though one hopes that if something has to go, these extra-curricular activities would be dropped before they take a toll on one's academics.

Remind me again, Mr Weasley, what NEWTs you hope to achieve?

[alt_percy]

I must say, it would be exceedingly interesting to see a professional theatre company undertake to present the historical events our students will be depicting. Well, that may be one point about amateur productions: they may tackle subjects first, but later, more professional productions can then more fully polish and develop.

I, too, have wondered about the level of commitment that several of my age-cohorts have chosen to undertake, but certainly the Professors have made it clear that of course schoolwork must come first.

Aside from the core subjects, I am attempting to achieve a NEWT in Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. I have been studying Dark Arts with Miss Professor Carrow as an independent study...it is a trifle irregular, a kind accommodation she has made for me (perhaps because of my position as Head Boy) and so it is unclear whether I will be allowed to attempt the NEWT in that subject, as I am not formally enrolled in the class. The Professor has forwarded a query for me as to whether I will be allowed to test to the NEWT examination committee, and we are awaiting their decision.

[alt_lucius]

I think Miss Carrow may be overly cautious. Anyone may sit the NEWT exam provided an application is received on time. It is generally not advised if one has not had the requisite number of years of instruction. You may be asked to complete a practical OWL, however.

There have been numerous cases in the past where students have sat for OWLs without having ever set foot inside a formal lesson.

The NEWT examination committee is under the Division of Magical Education. Perhaps your brother could pick up a pamphlet or two for you; I believe he works just down the corridor, in Communications.