Lucius S Malfoy

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.

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 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.

Heard from Mafalda you have had a change in fortunes. Was it some mishap in extraction or a deliberate calculation? Or ought you to take better care of your toys?

Nonetheless, this replacement may play to your advantage even if, as I understand, your circumstances are a bit harder to bear in the short-term. Particularly if it offers you greater excuse to travel? Have heard rumblings from Level 13 and ... elsewhere. Runcorn, Maule, Fulton - it would seem we have new domestic disturbances to provide us with intrigue.

If you can see your way to the Frost Faire on any evening, let me know. Or if other occasions afford you the opportunity to meet: You will wish to keep abreast of the developments. Have a meeting with Avery and Rookwood later; should know more after that. Have instructed Weasley to make time for you, Dominic, Gaude, Mulciber or Rowle should any of you contact him with a request. Understand, however, should your present guise require a less conspicuous form of contact.

Might amuse you to know that Ned's vigilance on your behalf has grown, if possible, more ferocious in the last week or two, in the face of all the activities within the Ministry. Do yourself a favour and warn him if you intend to pop into your own office; suspect the lad will take to sleeping on your camp bed any day now. Perhaps it's a more acceptable alternative to him than attempting to wrest attention from his fiancée. (She continues to emulate Bellatrix in her dedication to the craft - a fine Auror she'll be, too, if she can manage to refrain from treating her betters with a supercilious look. And Bella, of course, has been smiling like a cat with a particularly fat pigeon in its grasp. No one wants to ask what she's about - though it is not hard to guess.)

Go careful.