Private Message to Toshenka and Barty

[alt_lucius]

Have just returned from White's where Ptolemy asked his father and me to join him. Showed us his new Mark.

If he thought Ari would embrace him with paternal pride he was sorely mistaken. He has only just reconciled him-self to being a father-in-law! He was entirely unprepared to see Ptolemy undertaking Our Lord's service so young or so soon after marrying.

Took quite a number of rounds to calm him down. Might have been one too many for Ptolemy as well. (At any rate he took my advice and has gone home with his father rather than surprise his new wife with a late-night carouse.)

Cannot blame him. Barty hears about Ned second-hand, and Bella about Lana. Claudius was not present at Sarah's induction; now Ari and I both blind-sided by Ptolemy. If my clerk's petition is granted before the end of the summer we may all be sure the ranks are being diluted to a purpose - though what He intends I could not pretend to guess.


There was something else.

Can't


Oh.

Covington. Augustus says he checked the log book. Covington's not been to his lab since Friday after-noon. Odd because Covington typically works at least one day at the week-end and for the past three weeks has been in by 7:00 a.m. on Mondays.

Also, Barty: Augustus had something new about Bale.

Comments

[alt_antonin]

So. That's six, then: Ned, Lana, Sarah, Ptolemy, plus Jason Montague and today, Rufus McLaggen.

I have an exceptionally bad feeling about this. And yes, the pattern does seem to suggest Our Lord is deliberately keeping those closest to His new recruits away from the pleasure of standing at their initiation. I cannot imagine for what reason.

Barty beat the bushes about Covington today as well, with similar negative results. Did Gus have any idea what he was researching?

[alt_lucius]

McLaggen?

Who in Merlin's name is Rufus McLaggen?

[alt_antonin]

You hadn't heard? That ... does not bode well.

I will let Barty provide detail, but apparently he was a trainee in the Auror programme. Expelled, though I cannot say for what.

[alt_crouch_jr]

A buffoon.

Braggart. Laggard. Liar.

When we pushed him out, Maule took him up. Has been working security for him, according to Travers.


Which explains why none of us saw this coming.

How does Maule still have His ear? Is there no way to cut that off?

[alt_lucius]

Ah.

Well. It will be a nice change to have someone we may easily push into the path of fire. When necessary.

[alt_crouch_jr]

That is the silver lining.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Consider the difference between these and Crispin. That was properly done. These...

How many more might there be?

[alt_antonin]

I cannot imagine.

My fear, of course, is that He might stretch His hand towards Hogwarts, and the departing seventh-years. While one or two of them might prove adequate in the future, once they have had a chance to lose some of their adolescent drama, on the whole it is a poor showing indeed. I have done my best with them, but they had four years under Alecto's tutelage, and a single year does not suffice to undo those mistakes. And of course He would take their failings as mine

Lyoushka: has your clerk made his petition, or has he only intimated he might do so in future? Agree it will be a useful gauge. And can you think of any others who may have have put themselves forward for consideration? I am particularly curious as to whether He has refused any petition in the past few months. If He is aware that something is brewing, He may have decided to accept all comers, however grossly unqualified, for the sake of sheer numbers in a future campaign.

And has He asked anyone to take the newcomers in hand, and to teach them the things they need to know? I would certainly be willing -- and have offered to do so for the Pennifolds -- but my time is spoken for until mid-June at earliest. If we need to move more quickly, and doing so may well be wise, it would be better for someone else to make the offer. (That having been said, I do not yet have plans for the summer, unless Our Lord has plans for me that He has not yet shared. I will gladly spend some of that time in making sure our new brothers -- and sisters -- come around to our way of thinking.)

[alt_lucius]

Have ... discouraged Weasley Tertius from petitioning anytime soon. He does well enough but in Our Lord's presence he would last less time that our new 'brother' McLaggen.

As for sponsoring: Apologies to Barty but had already offered same for Ned (his father is my cousin Charles, on Mother's side) but knew that Ari wanted Ptolemy to wait some time longer before pledging him-self to Our Lord's service. Rather expected a courtship similar to Crispin's (as Barty says).

That said, it would be advantageous to host a number of gatherings where we may conduct that grooming which Our Lord has foregone. Shall broach with Narcissa but - perhaps not just now. Give it a day or two.

[alt_antonin]

It is never too early to begin wooing the newcomers to our way of thinking. If McLaggen is Maule's, he is likely beyond all reach, but the others may still be reachable. This weekend, perhaps? I would like to attend, if at all possible.

Dammit, what is He thinking

[alt_lucius]

Covington. Gus knew he was carrying on Randolphus Rink's work on the final mystery. Dimly recall that years ago Rink was looking for a first-edition Sprenger (Father's copy is in the locked cabinet and too delicate for lending). Gus thought Covington might be onto some form of transferrence but then said more likely he's just looking for a way to bring Rink back through the veil. Mentioned Bale's work might have some overlap but doubted the two would work together well, philopophically. Philosopically. (Also said something about Bella hoping to find a dog this summer. Disturbing thought.)

Bratka, was your sense that he was using Cestus as the old - what's your quaint word - Shibboleth? If so, don't suppose one of Our Lord's less devoted servants has done away with him to keep him going direct to Our Lord with an Answer to the ultimate question?

[alt_antonin]

My dear old friend, perhaps you ought take up this line of reasoning once you've sobered up some!

Covington's choice of title certainly has got me interested, yes, whereas most others would not. If he was in genuine need of it, your theory is perhaps the best explanation for his disappearance I can think of. If he was attempting to send a message, there are half a dozen he could be trying to convey. None all that encouraging.

I will keep an eye out. And, perhaps, have Gus for tea next weekend -- though Barty mentioned you are not sanguine about his current state.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Married, then Marked.

And hardly out of nappies.


Tell me about Bale.

[alt_lucius]

Tell you what about Bale?

[alt_crouch_jr]

What Rookwood had to say about him.