Lucius S Malfoy

Preparing final touches on the report for Our Lord. Plan to send Cadmus to deliver the worst of the news.

Bella, shall you go along or do you prefer to keep the pressure on the perimeter of the affected area? If you wish someone to return to St James' Palace with Rodolphus, Narcissa will keep watch, surely.

Saltash camp: Destroyed. An area approx. 10 acres disappeared under a spell believed to be a variant of Fidelius at seven o'clock this morning. Investigation pending. Area to remain under surveillance by MLE indefinitely.

Casualties: Rufus McLaggen, Councilwizard and former Auror Trainee (by the hand of Frank Longbottom); four MLE personnel (names attached); Camp Administrator Hugh Pendarvis; 15 camp enforcers

Missing, Presumed Dead: Junior Administrator Carter Prentiss (captured within the inaccessible area); further half-dozen camp personnel

Wounded: Crouch, Barty; Lestrange, Rodolphus; Mulciber, Cadmus; Mulciber, Corax; other names (MLE, Camp) attached

Material losses: 2,500 in muggle chattel; approximately 200 head of cattle; twenty fishing boats; Saltash administration buildings and camp facilities. In addition, a further estimate of 1,000 muggle chattels were in the affected area at the time of the alleged Fidelius. See above re: MLE surveillance to capture any refugees leaving said area

Twenty-five prisoners remanded to the custody of MLE for further interrogation.

Of note: Frank Longbottom sighted by several MLE personnel but evaded capture. Witness reported sighting of Sirius Black impostor late in the morning but could not be confirmed

Anything further to add?

Just finished with Rookwood. He sees the point in taking additional precautions and has agreed to alarm Mysteries to your sole attention, Barty. Rod, if you could assist him; fear he will need the extra wand (and memory) of one well-versed in protective spellwork.

Have either of you spoken with Bella? Received a message from her - cryptic, but in her usual direct tone - that she will join us late this evening and has 'news' for us.

Presumably that relates to who else besides Higgs may be implicated in -

--

Just thought of something. Barty, if you and Toshenka are available, could you meet me in the Blue Drawing Room?

Have either of you been glancing through the children's journals?

Well played, bratishka. Believe the effect you desired has been achieved. In spades.


Raz, forgive the intrusion, but must point out: It may not have occurred to Rodolphus yet but I did see the look on your face when our brother here so-casually mentioned the relationship budding between our niece and Stephen's defector. Confess myself as surprised as you or Rod that our Tosha sees so much in the lad - but then, know better than to doubt his instinct, which has so often led us to valuable compatriots in the past. Good luck, when Rod realises that you've known and not told him before. (And for some time, if I am not mistaken?)

Then again, at least you've reminded him that you are far from an easy target.

(Not that it matters much to me, one way or the other. Particularly if Toshenka believes he can bring the boy under his wing.)


Still chuckling over that remark of - which of your students, Toshenka? A seventh-year by the look of him - that he'd never thought of duels lasting so long. And how we all said almost at once, 'Usually, they don't.' Hope he's not in your NEWTs (and if so, then you are entirely correct that your work has been made manifest. Let it never be said we underestimate your ability to fashion miracles!


Do you think Dominic has quite got over his own shock at the breadth of your casting? Must remember to invite him into one of our sessions at the Elysian. Suspect he's itching now to find out just how he'd stand up in a proper contest of skill.

Almost jealous of you both for seizing the chance to make clear your prowess; but thinking how exhausted you both were, and seeing how much was waiting for my attention on my return, perhaps it was as well to leave you both to the exertion. (Do not take that as either challenge, or the fear of one, however!)

Blast, but it is late. Expect you both to be sleeping the sleep of the just. Ought to follow your example in that, as in other things.

My thanks again, gentlemen, for a highly amusing day.

Dominic,

Have you heard anything about an inquiry against Weasley for his violation of the Cardinal Curse licence? Was at a meeting late this morning and Thicknesse mentioned putting the hearing on the docket once Hogwarts has let out for summer holidays.

The Governors could (I believe, should) recommend that he be ratified in his usage and retroactively given permission to use the Imperius. Owing to the circumstances. Agreed?

There is still the matter of the licencing fees; obviously, the family cannot be expected to pay and the Governors probably ought not as a matter of precedent. Rod, as he was acting on behalf of Hydra, thought you might be willing to sponsor the boy?