Brief notes

[alt_lucius]

Minerva, meant to remind you to include in your report next week the performance of the new groundskeeper as well as Mr Milland in his duties as caretaker. Particularly with the tournament at the week-end, there are parties who will wish to know if you made the right choice, splitting the two positions again.


Barty, Narcissa asks me to invite you to supper to-morrow at the Manor. Something about wanting to try a few new dishes she's considering for our holiday party. Trust you'll be available.


Weasley, before I forget: The minutes from Wednesday's Executive Session still had not arrived as of this morning. See to it. And the last month's industry report, as well.


Draco, received your owl. Thank you.


Ari, to-morrow? Yes. Make it ten o'clock. Have Rookwood at half-eleven so must be back to the Ministry by then.

Comments

[alt_percy]

Yes, sir. I should have the minutes and report for you by noon, and I will follow up with Fudge's office to ensure they are received in a timely manner from now on.

Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Appreciate the cover.

Am experimenting with a new charm that should make this comment visible later than I'm writing it--to keep from always only writing in these books when I'm not being watched here.

Would you note when it appears in your book?

(14 November 1994. 1:00am.)

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Happy to oblige. We thought it better if Narcissa were not the only participant in your fiction.

Is that Beckinsale's work in MLE or one of Bode's projects in DoM? Should have been useful to employ in reply, as the notice appeared while we were meant to be dining with you (quarter-past seven this evening).

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Yes, blast it. The spell needs tuning. I've tried it twice today and both times it went through late.

And it's Beckinsale, not that performance so far is much of a testament to her skills. Trust she'll troubleshoot quickly.

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Ought to refer her to Bode, then. No sense duplicating effort when the goals are so similar.

Delayed commentary aside, it goes well?

Re: Private Message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

Believe they've consulted, but Bode's project is more complex. Definitely DoM matter.

Am engaged. Would not yet say ensconced.

Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_draco]

I appreciate the discretion, Father. I'm not out to tell up on Baddock, mind, but thought it worth passing along that I've had a word with him - several, in fact - and they don't appear to be making an impression. They seem like they're making an impression at the time, but obviously something's not sticking somewhere.

Re: Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Indeed - it was one of the reasons I accepted his father's invitation for a round of sparring. Rather timely, in point of fact.

Turned out he wished to speak to me about the same incident and how to resolve the problem. Of course Malcolm's version was markedly different to your account but that's not terribly surprising, is it?

In any event, Mr Baddock intends to take the matter up with his son. He seemed to think the majority of the blame lay with the others in Malcolm's cohort and not the lad himself. Tell me, is that your assessment as well?

Re: Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Truth? I'd say it's beside the point. He's the one in the position to set the tone of things.

Ranalfus smartened up because Remy hexed talked to him, but Strangeweale and Symmons keep on following Hedigan's lead, and the whole lot of them have made great show of laughing in the face of detention and getting caught. Hedigan doesn't prize subtlety, is the thing, though maybe seeing her mate get Cruciated by someone as naff as Clearwater finally got her attention.

Re: Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_lucius]

Have not yet found Miss Clearwater 'naff,' but then must admit she has not made much impression, either, the few times your mother and I have made her acquaintance.

Your answer would seem to indicate that it is his compatriots who are influencing him. If so, then the question is what has caused him to follow rather than to lead. Should you wish to curb his impulses and bend him to your will, you might discover the reason for his hesitation. Then you would know how to control him.

Speaking of people who hesitate to take their rightful lead ... is Harry prepared for his first test of skill?

Re: Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_draco]

Oh, she is naff. No doubt of that. But you'll see for yourself.

Then I suppose the question is, whose fault is it that he's being influenced? His own, or his mates? I've got bigger things to focus on, but I'll do what I can to make room for him in my schedule on a more regular basis, and not just at those times when he mucks up.

Speaking of bigger things - Harry's definitely concerned about making sure he's prepared, in any case.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I shall do so, of course, Lucius.

Apologies for taking so long to respond; you are quite dutiful -- and I am overworked dreadfully with the Challenges looming.