Lucius S Malfoy

Dearest Sister,

Hard to know where to begin. You should know that since our last communication, there has been a breach of security at the Ministry. The journal archives, which were our only means of monitoring private messages, were destroyed. The Ministry are working as quickly as possible to re-build the spells over the existing network but it is ... unclear how long that may take, or if Ned's department will determine the only way to restore oversight is to force an exchange of journals again. But for the moment, we may speak freely.

No doubt - no doubt, you have seen enough through the public entries in journals to understand that Draco disappeared from Hogwarts just after his birthday, under suspicious circumstances. The unfortunate truth is that he stands accused of miscegenation and aiding in the magical education of legal nonpersons. It is impossible to say whether the allegations have any legitimacy but the case against him grows stronger with every day he does not return to explain himself. Early on, it appeared he had been taken prisoner by enemies of the state; whether or not that is actually the case, it is impossible to believe they will arrange a ransom within Our Lord's deadline.

You know the extents to which I will go to protect our family. Could not bear to see you destroy yourself, so many years ago, when you found your situation similarly precarious; cannot now bear to think Draco might perish due to a youthful misstep. Have agreed to stand punishment in his stead, a guarantee against his safe return, whether under his own power or at the hands of his captors (if, indeed, he is a captive).

Naturally, there can be no guarantees as to what may follow after. Am taking any and all necessary steps to protect the family interests, so much as possible. There is one absolutely essential component to the plan which, should it succeed, will require your co-operation. Let us say, for now, only that you may be able to introduce my wife to her nephew, after all.

One cannot help but ... reflect ... on those things one will leave unfinished. Unresolved. Perhaps it is ironic that the same flaw which drove us apart for so long has been visited again in my own son. That after so long promising he should not lose his father, it seems likely, and at the same age I was when we lost Father. That - that the wizard whose vision I have sworn to serve will be the instrument of my downfall.

But not my family's.

Things may move quickly, from here. I've barely a week to make all the necessary arrangements and it must be done carefully, without a hint, lest others derive the impression that I mean to run, rather than merely assure Narcissa's safety. If I can deliver her outside the wards and buy for Draco any measure of clemency, then I will consider the bargain well-struck at whatever price. But as there might not be time later for anything more than an urgent message regarding her expected arrival, this, my dear sister, may be farewell. Tell Mother - tell her, I have done all I can to preserve our legacy.

Take care, Amanda. I pray you remain happy, and safe and healthy.

All my love,

Scip

Sadly, not how I wished to end the day.

Minerva, Horace, by now you ought to have received my messengers. Please make every effort to catch Miss Parkinson before she can read about this here.

It is difficult to organise my own thoughts. Singularly ironic, the time of year and the similarity of circumstance - though as yet, no one will be dying. But I'm skipping round and getting ahead of myself.

Chronological order, then.

Well, it's no secret that my goddaughter has been digging herself a hole to China lately with her antics. Not surprisingly, the subject has come up a few times to-day, including the Minister herself expressing her deep sympathies on what she referred to as my 'unfortunate responsibility' and a millstone.

I confess I am just as shocked as any that her behaviour should so soon turn again to an inappropriate attitude. But she has always been a willful and spirited child, two qualities that often combine to cause grief in the adults who must guide her education.

I had already determined that clear discipline was required and had Crispin rearrange the latter part of my afternoon so that I could confer with her mother to alight on a remedy that might prove effective. Crispin confirmed with her just a few hours before we were to meet.

When I arrived, there was no answer to the bell - not even Rosa's house elf. The house was not charm-locked, however, so I was able to enter without spellwork. Immediately the hair on the back of my neck stood up in warning. I made my way to the parlour, the sitting room, even the dining room, and saw no one. My unease grew, but I ventured upstairs, wand at the ready. And that's where I found her.

She was alive, but unconscious. There was no sign of injury or struggle. She clearly had suffered some sort of collapse. I called her elf back and sent him straight on to St Mungo's for healers. They responded immediately, which the healers now tell me probably saved her life.

As I write this, I still do not know how long the healers will wish her to remain in their care. Pansy will be informed by her professors and, if the healers allow it, I shall arrange for her to come down to London for a visit. That ought to cheer them both and give Rosa strength to recover.

For now, there is not much else to do but entrust her to the healers and their capable ministration.

I am exhausted beyond belief and yet can't sleep. I should go back to St James' and get some rest. I just keep thinking about that other November, and how frightened Amanda was, even though we expected it would be coming sometime around the end of the year.

Well, as I said, the situation is somewhat dissimilar. It's St Mungo's and not the Manor; I am no longer the seventeen-year-old suddenly in charge of his family; there is no need for urgent action or too much disruption of Pansy's already overset routine. More to the point, the healers are certain they can help Rosa make full recovery - just not certain about how long it will take. One other thing is clear: The course I had thought might be suitable now seems the obvious solution.

Perhaps a nightcap and reading will force my eyes to close.