Lucius S Malfoy

Shall not be returning to St James' house this after-noon. However, wished to let you know that you have been selected - personally, by Our Lord - for a special task.

It seems He has arranged a rather important contest at Hogwarts this term. He has demanded decided that you shall act as liaison between the judges He has named at Hogwarts and Himself. You are to receive reports on the competitors' conduct, compile them and present them to Him at regular intervals. I am given to understand that young Marvolo shall be the chief arbiter but there are others whom He has entrusted to inform Him of the progress of His potential acolytes.

No doubt you recognise the signal honour His regard implies. Of course, anything He should require of you is to take precedence, even over my own affairs. However, should it be necessary - that is, should you find it ... impossible ... to maintain your duties in my service - then I expect you shall undertake the necessary steps to procure an assistant who can insure that the business of my household - and the realm, indeed - may continue apace.

Broome will contact you with the details of your audiences with Our Lord and what sorts of information He wishes you to distill. Your rôle in this may in fact be the crucible you have been seeking to prove your worth, alongside those young hopefuls Our Lord now favours with His consideration.

Congratulations, young man. See that you do nothing to disgrace yourself - or me.

It is a singular curiosity that although they have no current obligations to the Young Protectors' League or (as yet) the Cadet Force, we see almost less of Draco and Harry this summer than years past. All to be expected: Given a summer to fly free, as it were, what young men would not indulge their social predilections?

Nonetheless, it is a pleasure to enjoy pursuits together, such as running the course at the Elysian and the Ouroboros and taking refreshment afterward. It is most gratifying to see them interact with witches and wizards on equal footing, now they are nearly grown. One cannot help be proud of the way in which they conduct themselves and the company they attract.

We have been particularly glad that the weather is so fine - or so they tell us, when they explain that their long-distance flights are a clever method to escape this heat!

The air of Town, however, wants changing this time of year, so we do plan a holiday, if we can manage it. Narcissa favours the west again, perhaps Cornwall. We still have the brigantine which wants a sea holiday, so that is well-suited to her wishes. We may teach the boys a thing or two about sailing.


That is, assuming that the Ministry and affairs of state permit any time at all out of Town. Have no wish to send them alone but that may become necessary, given days like this one.

Commerce committee ran over-long; this business of the black markets getting out of hand. Unsure what, if anything, Yaxley is even doing to control the rise of prices or the disappearance of particular delicacies. The lack of certain products even disrupted our niece's birthday supper. Most intolerable.

Luncheon with Crispin, as well - and discussion of his options at the Ministry. Naturally his well-deserved induction into Our Lord's Council provides him any number of choices; he has merely to determine where his interests lie.

Once back, was detained by an interminable matter at Rookwood's behest. Tosha, will call on you to-morrow if you are at home, to discuss that trifling business! Should interest you to no end.

Speaking of seeing you, Toshenka, Narcissa hopes you and Barty will join us at the week-end at the Manor.

Good to see you both this after-noon. Must admit the social hour before and following did put our other tasks behind, a bit, and returning from those, naturally, found the day's correspondence grown to mountainous proportion. Still have a personal note or two if to-morrow is not to begin already behind.


Trust you both found to-day's (yesterday's, one should say!) educational presentation edifying. Harry looked a bit tense, during the bout. Draco, is he all right? Glad to see you appreciated the display for all it was, and led the others in a properly jovial, but respectful, light.

Antonin Nikolaevich tells me you are both showing great promise, already. Not surprising, but good to hear his professional assessment, nonetheless.

He has his eye on a few others, as well, who were much more ... unexpected. But that is his way.

Be careful, however: He is incorrigible. If you let him he shall ply you with all manner of temptations, suited to your particular interests, in order to bend you to his will. No doubt soon enough he shall supplant even your favourite professors as your tutor of choice.


Speaking of favourites, did not have much of a chance to speak to either of you privately. Wished to ask you: How has the CCF programme been thus far, under Madam Umbridge? (Be honest, both of you; should expect you both might feel any positive comments are disloyal to its previous mentor. Have no fear of your opinions generating unwanted repercussions.)


Well. It is late. Though you shall doubtless not see this before morning, should observe brevity and proceed through my other notes, in order to sleep, as well.

Merlin. He keeps getting more and more long-winded.

Suspect Dolores has been giving him lessons. Or writing the speeches.

At least Harry seems more at ease now that we're actually starting. The waiting is always worse than the action.

Admirably done.

We are all quite impressed with your ingenuity under pressure.

We shall see you shortly.

Weasley, just realised talking with Selwyn that to-morrow's Hogwarts Board of Governors' meeting is at Hogwarts. Did Peakes give a particular reason? Seems unnecessary given that the Headmistress and half the Board are in New London. See if you can change it, particularly as the Prophet is directly prior.

Also - Bagman again. Cornered me in the corridors outside Fudge's office. Next week, if you please, half an hour to discuss Top Box seating.

Presume you are still awaiting the packet for Presto? Have not seen it yet.



Barty, I've news you may be interested to hear. Have Ned tell me when you can next meet for drinks.


Draco, received your letter. Glad Mr Zabini has made the place so hospitable for you, Harry and the others. Cannot see why we may not arrange a private run through the Elysian's or Ouroboros' course - however, the timing may be problematic. Remember that Freedom Day celebrations shall occupy much of the week-end. Your mother asks me to tell you that she did agree with your idea for Harry's birthday (and no, Harry, I am not going to spoil the surprise) and that everything is well in hand for the gift you wish to present.

Harry -

Received your owl regarding the hippogriff. Rather wish you had written earlier; though in any event, it is impossible to comply with your request at this time. Hippogriffs are not suitable pets in the best of circumstances and this one in particular has shown itself to be unpredictable, savage and highly dangerous. What's more, the beast has been promised to Ms Drumgoole for her game preserves and, as I understand it, she in turn has already made commitments to paying customers on the basis of its presence on her grounds.

If you truly wish a specimen for a private collection, you may of course discuss it with your Father and I am sure that some arrangement can be made for an allocation of land or stables within His holdings. If you like, I would be willing to ask Professor Brutka about the possibility of training and taming another hippogriff for such a purpose - perhaps one that is more inclined to accept the approach of children - and to work with you on an individual basis, either over the summer or next academic year, to achieve a rapport with that creature. Regardless, the question of this specific hippogriff has already been settled to the Governors' satisfaction. Or will be once the creature has been remanded to Ms Drumgoole this evening.

Do let me know if you would like to pursue the other avenues I have suggested, Harry. As you know, I am always at your disposal.

Yours most sincerely,

Lucius S. Malfoy, &c.

At least this week has been relatively straight-forward but nonetheless a pleasant change in that there have been no catastrophes which might have been avoided easily enough.


Understand that the Council have taken up my challenge to run the Ministry course against the current crop of trainees. Excellent. It will, I believe, afford all concerned an opportunity to test one another's mettle and acquaint us with the aspiring Aurors in the bargain. Not to mention a reason to maintain oneself at a time of year when most are over-indulging. Suspect Rowle and a few others will discover they have spent far too long behind their desks and not enough time keeping up with current duelling theory.

Speaking of - Mafalda, Rufus, came across a curious little volume through Obscurus that might interest you both. Chap name of Payne has written a rather innovative work on the use of unexpected spells in duels - particularly on the topic of what he terms 'spells of opportunity.' Charles sent it over to me last week to ask my opinion before accepting the manuscript. Think you ought to read it as well. Have you heard of him before? He writes as if he's had some experience and not within the confines of the law. His biography states that he's spent a good deal of time in Ireland addressing the troubles there. Yet I don't recognise the name straight off.


My wife has enjoyed an unprecedented amount of attention of late, not surprisingly. She mentioned last night that Witch Weekly have asked if she would care for a protection detail since at every turn, it seems, she has been approached by someone for an autograph, a photo or some other token. Most unwelcome are the types who seem to feel entitled to information she would not otherwise provide. Thus far, she has managed to keep them at bay on her own - but if it continues, have advised her that a companion or two to help clear the way would not go amiss. Particularly if she also accedes to WW's request to grant an interview on the WWN or any other public address.

Still, she has her obligations and will not be put off them. Chiefly that has seemed to be laying in all the shopping for the holidays, apart from those items that we cannot store indefinitely. Our sheer volume of our social calendar continues to be as demanding as ever. It is of course gratifying to see the Protectorate thriving and to know that all we have done thus far is helping to ensure a vibrant and prosperous future for our race.


Am not sure we will continue to prosper quite so healthily, however, if this trend continues within New London and I assume elsewhere of all the shops cropping up, specialising in 'affordable' foodstuffs. Hooper in particular seems to favour a bun shop some blocks away - four times this week he has taken himself there for a pasty or some other concoction. The fare appears to me to be nothing but grease and processed, transfigured paste - but he takes to it like a babe to the breast. At this rate he'll gain a stone before Christmas, I expect. Ought to remind him to at least walk there and back rather than Apparate, were it not that it would surely take him out of the office for an hour's stretch were he to do so.


Draco: Received your last letter with the news about your team's decision. Well done.
Mr Marvolo: Do not be disappointed. It will not be long, I am sure. Keep to your lessons for now - both in and out of class. Quidditch will still be there when it is safe for you to return to it.
Pansy: Have not heard from you in a few weeks. Do you have everything you need before returning? Your prospective step-father came to see me this week; believe the tenor of the visit would amuse you. Oh - and for you and Draco both: Mr Tenebridge will see you on the 29th at 11:00. I've had Hooper put it on my calendar but you might want to note it so that you do not forget.

Sending you both additional chocolate.

Draco, Harry will not be allowed to go to Hogsmeade next week-end. There is good reason to believe the village unsafe for him. I leave it to you to decide whether you will remain in the castle with him or go with your year-mates. But if you do choose to exercise your privileges, I trust you will also take extreme caution. Keep Crabbe or Goyle with you at least, and by no means venture away from the high street alone. We have reason to believe our enemies would not hesitate to gain access to Harry through you. Be careful. Above all, do not allow Harry to escape your uncle's surveillance or convince him to accompany you both into the village - I do not think your uncle would leave you unprotected but there are many distractions and he is but one warlock.

Pansy, believe you will be in need of cheering charms, so here is one: Your friend Mr Tenebridge has asked to hear that little song you wrote. He may have in mind arranging for one of the groups on his label to produce it. Have promised to ask if you would come at Christmas to give him a sample.

And if that is not enough, as I said, Valerian will be there by morning with parcels for you both.

Have you left already?

All our details are coming together this end. I shall come out directly court is over; suspect Rabastan and Harry may come early, if His Lordship does not require the boy during the day's business.

I've just Weasley's farewell luncheon prior to Buckingham - another project coming along nicely, I think. Still a ways to go, but definitely worth developing, if for no other reason than to enjoy the looks of impotence on Arthur Weasley's face. Still, suspect there is a further benefit, long-term, to dangling the finer things at the boy's fingertips. He could go far ... or he could be immensely useful. If he can grow beyond his banality. Remains to be seen.

In any event, should be able to join you in Aldeburgh no later than six, with Harry and Rabastan if they have not already left by then.

Do you need anything else before I leave London?