Lucius Malfoy (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_lucius) wrote2012-09-08 12:05 am
alt_lucius) wrote2012-09-08 12:05 am
Private Message to Antonin Nikolaevich
Suspect you may not see this before morning but it's the first chance I have had to pick up our conversation.
Well. If we were not beset before that ill-considered account of your work, Toshenka, we certainly saw the floodgates open to-day. Luckily, at least half of the correspondence (through me, at any rate) defended the necessity of young Clarkson’s execution. Ironically, Black may have helped cement your reputation as a kindly, thoughtful soul. (Fret not: Those who know better shall say nothing to contradict.)
Were you much pestered by any of it? Prophet wanted to run a feature to remind people of the quick restoration of order after the Ministry fell to us; recommended that downplaying the entire re-appearance of Black would be preferrable. You may have seen a small item on it this evening (to the effect that this account tells of a traitor meeting a painless end in complete solitude with the innocent well removed from the scene. What could be more patriotic? And the usual reminder that Black’s posts are, of course, ‘forgeries’).
Apart from that disruption, you survived your first week, I surmise? Know that it is still early days, but would suspect you of slipping if you did not already have opinions on at least a few potential additions to your coterie. Remember to let Horace have his pick of the litter, as well. But have you begun to identify the possibly useful, the tantalisingly challenging and the mere chaff?
Confess had not until you mentioned it had any desire to claim to anything in either Carrow’s possession. However, since you brought it up in your last, have increased in avarice – particularly for her collection of potions texts. Artefacts, of course, but if Rodolphus joins you there is little chance they will divide evenly. And then there is the question of her guilt in Tony’s death. One wonders if she kept anything to confirm it.
To answer your query about that: Yes, Pansy is my goddaughter. Not surprised at her performance. Asking questions or cutting to the heart of a debate has never been a particular difficulty of hers. In fact at one point, despaired of her ever developing the discretion to curb her curiosity and wait to ask her questions during an appropriate moment! Pleased to hear her reform continues to influence her in a positive direction. (Still not sure whether to thank Narcissa or blame her for devising that particular solution. True, it brought home lessons Pansy needed to learn; on the other hand, believe it sealed her attachment to your unfortunate prodigal.)
Still reading trash and passing it off as dire scholastic tomes? Toshenka, perhaps the next time someone accuses you of ruthless and macabre acts of carnage, we could share your current bookshelf as the counter-argument!
Well. If we were not beset before that ill-considered account of your work, Toshenka, we certainly saw the floodgates open to-day. Luckily, at least half of the correspondence (through me, at any rate) defended the necessity of young Clarkson’s execution. Ironically, Black may have helped cement your reputation as a kindly, thoughtful soul. (Fret not: Those who know better shall say nothing to contradict.)
Were you much pestered by any of it? Prophet wanted to run a feature to remind people of the quick restoration of order after the Ministry fell to us; recommended that downplaying the entire re-appearance of Black would be preferrable. You may have seen a small item on it this evening (to the effect that this account tells of a traitor meeting a painless end in complete solitude with the innocent well removed from the scene. What could be more patriotic? And the usual reminder that Black’s posts are, of course, ‘forgeries’).
Apart from that disruption, you survived your first week, I surmise? Know that it is still early days, but would suspect you of slipping if you did not already have opinions on at least a few potential additions to your coterie. Remember to let Horace have his pick of the litter, as well. But have you begun to identify the possibly useful, the tantalisingly challenging and the mere chaff?
Confess had not until you mentioned it had any desire to claim to anything in either Carrow’s possession. However, since you brought it up in your last, have increased in avarice – particularly for her collection of potions texts. Artefacts, of course, but if Rodolphus joins you there is little chance they will divide evenly. And then there is the question of her guilt in Tony’s death. One wonders if she kept anything to confirm it.
To answer your query about that: Yes, Pansy is my goddaughter. Not surprised at her performance. Asking questions or cutting to the heart of a debate has never been a particular difficulty of hers. In fact at one point, despaired of her ever developing the discretion to curb her curiosity and wait to ask her questions during an appropriate moment! Pleased to hear her reform continues to influence her in a positive direction. (Still not sure whether to thank Narcissa or blame her for devising that particular solution. True, it brought home lessons Pansy needed to learn; on the other hand, believe it sealed her attachment to your unfortunate prodigal.)
Still reading trash and passing it off as dire scholastic tomes? Toshenka, perhaps the next time someone accuses you of ruthless and macabre acts of carnage, we could share your current bookshelf as the counter-argument!
no subject
Have retired to bed, but not yet asleep; insomnia apparently a well-known side effect of discontinuing one of my potions. (Madame Pomfrey suggested an innovative, if slightly injurious to one's dignity, solution; at this point, would be prepared to stand on my head and whistle Celestina Warbeck songs at Court in exchange for eight straight hours of blessed sleep, so I'll give it a try.)
There have been some looks and some whispers, hastily stifled when I indicate my awareness of them, but nothing overt. My official position, should anyone be bold enough to enquire, is that one mustn't read trash; it rots the mind. (No further comments from you on that front, thank you very much, little brother.) Privately, am gaining a belated sympathy for Bella's eternal quest -- I would message her to say so, but suspect I'd merely get my head bitten off for my trouble -- and will volunteer my wand in its service in a heartbeat, should the need arise.
Haven't the faintest idea what Black might have intended with that little faerie tale, but suspect that whatever it was, it has backfired more than you reference: half my sevenths today were eyeing me with newfound respect. He never was much one for subtlety, though. I do remember that much. Wish Orion had been willing to call me in sooner; I might have been able to turn him back. Ah, well; I shall add him to Clarkson on the list I keep of those I failed to reach. (You were all quite indulgent to let me try, over and above the utility of keeping a channel of disinformation on hand.)
(What was that child's name, do you remember? Should look her up. I do remember having a lovely, albeit brief, conversation, in midst of trying to convince Crabbe and -- I can't remember his name, the tall blond one who wasted all my effort by getting himself killed that Hallowe'en because he turned out to not be smart enough to duck -- that no, my way made our point much more strongly.)
You are welcome to any of Alecto's leavings you can pry out of Rod's avaricious hands. I did not see anything I recognised immediately as Tony's, but you would know better than I. And yes, have found his daughter an excellent addition to class thus far. There's a bit of his love for the unknown and unknowable, that's for sure!
I do indeed have the beginnings of my little list (and Horace shall have to fend for himself: if I'm to spend my time teaching I get the pick of the litter and if he doesn't move quickly enough it's his own fault) but after only a week, I can't be certain. I'll be interviewing them all one-on-one over the next few weeks, to get a firmer sense of which ones are worth more cultivation. I've my eye mostly on Draco's year, actually: they're at the right age, and three years with them would be about the minimum necessary in order to impart a good seasoning. We shall see what happens. At very least, I am enjoying myself so far. Let us pray this state continues.
And, as I believe Madam Pomfrey's ridiculous solution is starting to take hold, I shall bid you good night, and wish you sweet dreams of your own.
Kindly and thoughtfully,
T