Lucius S Malfoy

Mrs Malfoy and I extend our deepest gratitude to all who have either made donations this season or sent us their personal tokens of esteem. Know that we appreciate every gesture made to express the feelings of loyalty, dedication and industry that permeate Our Lord's citizenry.


Our congratulations, of course, go to Mr and Mrs Campbell on their new arrival. Unfortunately with the New Year's celebrations at Buckingham, it is unlikely we shall be able to accept your kind invitation to his naming ceremony. Rest assured our gift is on its way, however.


Have had a day or two to catch our breath among all the whirl of social obligations and for once, am fairly relieved that the week betwixt Christmas and New Year's is generally quiet. Have needed it after the surprises this holiday brought! (Had not planned, for example, to spend part of Christmas Day in firechat with the Minister of Magic for France. Nor to be comforting my sister on the sudden - but necessary - departure of her husband on Christmas Eve.)


Mr Finch-Fletchley, trust you are recovering well. On behalf of the Governors, allow me to extend our sincere regrets that you met with calamity on Hogwarts' grounds, even if, as it now appears, no Hogwarts students were implicated in your misfortune.


Was pulled into a meeting to-day regarding a feared reduction in the interest rates offered by Gringott's on certain types of vaults. Reminded how long it has been since I have negotiated with goblins. Necessitated another international correspondence, this time with Egypt, scheduled later this week.


Draco, good to talk to you as always. We missed you and your cousins at Blackmoor Park this year. And to you and Pansy, again: Congratulations. Nolan tells me Tintagel is doing very well with the song and it is already much-requested on the wireless.


Weasley, have a few notes for you for to-morrow's business at Court. Kindly attend to it first thing, if you please.

This month's issue of the Londinarium came out to-day. Kindly go and pick up a copy.

When Bobolis asked for time, did you happen to verify what he wanted? Thought it was Kensington; seems that was incorrect. In future you would do well to obtain complete information before determining whether one could entertain the request or no.

Rosa,

I should like to know what game you think you are playing. I have just had several minutes' conversation with your daughter - she is, I believe, still your daughter - in which she imparted to me certain particulars concerning your attitude regarding her inheritance.

I cannot countenance why you should choose this time of year to grow obstinate. And why you should create such a commotion on the day we are expecting several hundred guests is quite beyond me. It is not to be borne.

One surmises that this childish behaviour and disregard for your own future is not what Campbell envisioned when he extended his offer. Nonetheless, you were acquainted with the consequences of remarriage when you first set your cap for him; if you have come to regret your course, then you have within your hands the means to remedy the situation. However, if you are, as I suspect, committed to your relationship, then you must also accept the transfer of the Parkinson estate as set forth by your late husband's will for the protection and welfare of his only heir.

This peevishness is most unseemly - not to mention damaging to Pansy's well-being and continued health. Having only just learned the extent of your extortionist tactics, I am surprised her condition has not flared in response. As it is, she has been reduced to sobs of frustration in my office - not at all the sort of turn one would imagine for a holiday party.

I have not the time nor the inclination to converse further on the subject at present. I shall expect you to-morrow morning at half-nine to explain yourself and to make provision for Pansy to allow her to complete her shopping.

I hope I need not remind you of the repercussions should you fail to comply.

L.S. Malfoy

Heard that the queue for Black's remains has been over two hours long since Monday. Expect that it will slacken after the week-end but increase again once the students return from Hogsmeade. However, meanwhile, increase lead time by fifteen minutes for any trip to Buckingham - some show of beneficence must be made whenever passing through the entrance hall. It does put one off schedule.

Shall need the reports on birth rates in the camps prior to meeting with Fudge this morning - in general, going forward, I shall need any materials pertinent to meetings at least one hour before if you can manage it. Obviously on days when there are back-to-back meetings I shall need everything in advance as well. There is nothing so tedious as to be asked to meetings where no-one has prepared! The time is wasted merely summarising the background material.

Also, contact Dewhurst in Ludgate Hill and tell him either the blue or the green. Or both - doesn't matter. To be delivered by 24th, of course. He has the address.

Oh, and the next time you have the chance, kindly go through the coming year's calendar and clear some time - a three hour block twice a week if you can find it - for writing. These manuscripts are piling up maddeningly. I've only been able to give Charles three forewords this quarter. You may need to move something around; perhaps Muggle-born Labour or Commerce might change its time, or try one of the boards. Reese's term is coming up on Labour - that might give you the opportunity to suggest the change.

When is Mrs Parkinson booked in? I thought I told you to schedule her in the week or so following Campbell's visitation. I don't see her in the diary.

Finally, on the matter of Mrs Austin's request, the answer is No. We are flattered by their decision to name the child Lucius but send regrets for the ceremony.

Interminable meeting with the Minister to-day. At least Miss Robins' tea continues to compensate, a little, for Dolores' usual waffle.

(I must tell you, Regulus, that she remains quite put out over the outcome of the auction. I cannot think what she might have been like had she won, but by the third sidelong mention I made it clear that the matter interested me not in the slightest and you even less, I suspect.)

Was treated then to a litany of matters requiring the Council's and Lord Protector's input. Noted with some surprise that nearly forty per cent of the muggles dispatched to fulfill work orders have been returned as 'defective,' by which, further inquiry discovered, they mean ill. Must determine whether their susceptibility is a side-effect of having been kept dormant so long or whether this strain of flu is somehow more virulent than previously suspected.

Also pointed out the MLE's efforts to locate certain persons suspected of providing inflammatory and false reports to the traitor Black. Authorised the Minister to offer rewards for information leading to a successful arrest of anyone colluding or conspiring with the traitor or his guerillas, and advised her, per meeting with Scrimgeour on Monday, that the MLE are considering as a suspect any person who in the course of work has contact inside the camps and subsequently falls missing. (Also recommended they review the department attendance records throughout the Ministry and camps for additional intelligence.) It is also possible that Black's men are kidnapping those whom they believe may be coerced into giving up details which Black may then misconstrue in order to continue the public panic.

Endured her requests for additional funds for various projects and departments; ignored her simpering over the boys' return to their Quidditch side and the state of her Christmas shopping. Had to return her to the agenda more than usual, which again, I think, attests to her disappointment of the week-end.


Discussed Draco's Christmas request with Ari over tea, and later with Narcissa. Believe we have reached an accord on the matter. Ari's advice was quite sound and valued, given that his eldest is a few years ahead of Draco, giving him a perspective beyond that of our recollection of our own youth.


Holiday season is already in full bloom. Narcissa has scheduled the winter garden preparations early next week; we are considering whether to open Kensington during the week between Christmas and New Year's, though I doubt there should be the need. Crispin surprised me by having the elves lay in toddy and punch early and he has already finished compiling the invitations from last year (acceptances, declines) so that Narcissa may finalise her batch to-day. (Unsure whether to think he is in such a merry frame of mind because he has renewed his attention to his work, or because he has found a new distraction from it.)


Pansy: Received your owl. In light of the decision rendered by the courts, I see no reason we should not be able to spend some time together. In fact, where a month ago it might have been necessary for you to approach your mother with the request first, these days, it seems she is very interested in my friendship again. I think we both know the reason why. But let us not dismiss our opportunities when they present themselves. I have been thinking I might go with you to Mrs Black, which would accomplish two of your goals together, wouldn't it? Still, likely the prudent thing will be for you to express your wishes to her directly, but of course I shall consent.

Regarding your other topics: Your father used to use the Tintinnabulum hex quite effectively (it causes a ringing in one's opponent's ears) and I recall a half-year when we were all very fond of Heliovox, which although it is in no way debilitating, used to provide hours of amusement, particularly if aimed at sixth- and seventh-year boys. You might also try Nebulosus Visio, which blurs the vision of the opponent and was another of your father's favourites. Though that is a little more advanced than second-year work. It is also never too soon to practise casting silently - the really accomplished duellists never disadvantage themselves by announcing their intentions.

We shall be able to discuss other matters in more detail when we see each other.

Attended a general meeting of the MLE department yesterday (obvious reasons) and while in the Ministry corridors, Warrington begged a moment of my time. Asked if I would care to take a cup of tea with him in the canteen; ordinarily I avoid the Ministry's tea like the plague, but he seemed anxious to speak with me. I offered that we might go to my club or Wilton's if he liked, but he thanked me, saying instead that he was reluctant to stray so far from the office. I consented, then, and while I avoided drinking bagged tea he came round to his point regarding the mudblood camps and the difficulty of placing them among families.

Amidst his protestations, he pointed out the latest of Black's rants as well as Carrow's little poet as examples of the trouble. The problem, he seems to think, is that when in the constant influence of wizards, mudbloods do presume a station above themselves - it is the rare juvenile (Marvolo's Dennis comes to mind) who is both truly aware of his proper place and content to remain there. And wizards, too, fall into one of two categories: Either they loathe the creatures so much that they will not countenance them as house-servants; or they profess a healthy understanding of the social hierarchy, yet when in the presence of mudbloods and left to supervise them on an ongoing basis, tend over time to extend to them more than their fair complement of autonomy.

All of this I knew - that is the central problem and correcting for it is one of Purity Control's missions. Asked him if he had a point that was not already obvious. He grew contrite and whinged that he was only impressing upon me the difficulty and finally proceeded to request more time. Something about a preliminary report and surveys from the field, to identify candidate host families. As it was clear this was his aim all along, was not much impressed by his circuitous path to the looming petition. (To say nothing of circumventing Nott to plead with me directly.)

Told him to use testimonials from farms with mudbloods in service currently and to remind candidates that memories are modified for any mudblood outside the age limitations set by the Ministry. Reminded him that if memory charms are unreliable in certain subjects, there are other methods to ensure obedience. Suggested he focus on the 17-22-year-old set, possibly pick out one or two of the comelier ones and bring them along, as enticement. (Not, of course, that one would condone miscegenation, but it is decidedly more pleasant to look at a servant with a fair countenance - something to consider when planning additional help that will be visible to guests or visitors. Aesthetics are, after all, an influence on the desirability of something that may become a fixture in the home.)

Agreed to speak to Nott about setting the end of the month as a deadline for the report and recommendations, so that the pilot may begin by mid-March. He wanted to introduce me to his man Radapas - or was it Rupadam? - thankfully I had another appointment and could not be detained longer. Did not have to tell him that every mudblood working means one less to worry about revolting - and the news from the camps was not encouraging this morning. Two attempted escapes in the Derby camp Thursday and one in Stoke last night. Futile on their part - and a useless waste of resources.

Well, it sounds as if Warrington can be guided back onto the right track, at any rate. Instructed Crispin to find time with Nott next week to ensure that the programme is being vetted properly and that he is fully aware of my recommendations. Well, left instruction for Monday, at any rate, though I wished I had not already given him leave to vacate early for the week-end; would have called him back to go through the nomination parchments for Presto (a formality, but nonetheless), but remembered just as I pinched the powder that he mentioned spending Valentine's week-end in Swansea with friends. Had meant to go over the petition questions after MLE before luncheon, but Warrington's impromptu discussion put me off my timetable and it was after three when I returned to St James'. Quite forgot to retrieve them from Crispin's writing table, in the press of replying to other correspondence - and I confess I became engrossed by a review copy of Barton's forthcoming volume on the nán wū during the final years of the Qing dynasty, which has been on my desk for over a week. (Up quite late finishing it, in fact; which has put me quite behind on journal review - again!)


Amanda: Your observations on my reply to Draco were quite insightful, though I rather fear you have the wrong end of the wand on a few points. My dear sister, I am well aware that 'Hell hath no fury' but to put it mildly, there cannot be scorn intended where there was never any interest, can there be? My involvement with the family never extended beyond my obligations as a mentor and out of the esteem in which I hold my friend's memory. Any further designs that occurred to her only ever existed in the realm of her fantasy. More to the point, she misses the mark if she wishes to injure me; her demands have everything to do with visiting her own misery on her daughter, which as far as I can see accomplishes nothing. But at least for now, she seems to have quieted. (I wonder if she has bothered to pick up her journal and sees that I am neither threatened nor indeed much changed by her tactics.)

As to your point about rivalry, dear one, I must allow that it was different for us owing to our respective ages and naturally due to Father's condition; you must understand, however, that as no competitive spirit of that type exists between the boys, I am bewildered by the degree of intensity burgeoning between two who do not view themselves, as far as I know, as siblings at all.


Magical Commerce this Monday; should be able to discuss exceptions to the regulations in order to keep Hogwarts provisioned. Might succeed in time for some remainder of the season. Particularly as Clarriker seems already to be making inquiries about the substances I am confident the Committee will agree to import.

For to-day, however, Narcissa ought to be awake shortly and we have plans to go down to London for the holiday. I think some exercise - perhaps a walk through Regent's Park? - to make up for sitting so long last night with Barton.

Crispin helpfully compared Madam Pomfrey's list of requests against the current list of imports that are embargoed. Have identified several items for which the restrictions may be lifted; forwarded to MacMillan for his consideration. Also sent the list to the Folkestone clearing house with my notes. Of the remaining items, several are permitted, but dear at purse. Crispin has set meetings with a number of hand-picked parents and alumni who may be prevailed upon to defray the costs to the school.

At least two of her requests are impossible to grant.


Meanwhile, Miss Parkinson sent along her mother's attempt at detective work. I have no idea what she thinks she is about. The letter is dated the same night as our discussion, so one may hope that she has reconsidered her tirade by now. I shall set her letter aside for the moment and attribute it to her over-emotional state that evening.


Also had a letter from Stephen Rosier. I quite agree, of course, but the central problem is unchanged since ... well, since approximately 1870. Nonetheless, it does confirm that the new textbooks are sorely needed, even if nothing else can be done. Gave it to Crispin to add to my file for the Governors' meeting.

The Minister for Magic will insist on holding meetings in her office, but at least she provides a decent cup of tea. (How one can drink it surrounded by her décor is something I try not to contemplate too closely.)

At any rate, now the budget approvals have all been completed and passed to the Council, Dolores may focus on the task she has been anxious to claim her attention: The Tenth Anniversary celebrations scheduled for this spring. Thankfully, I was not subjected to another transparent attempt to embroil Narcissa but to be doubly certain, I recommended that some portion of the allocation for the event be earmarked for professional planning services. At least then the proceedings will be spared an overabundance of pink. I would hope that even Dolores is clever enough to keep the occasion tasteful; I am less confident that she can be trusted to dictate the direction with an eye more toward the public than her own whimsy. Suggested that Miss Robins be prevailed upon to oversee many of the details, as I am quite sure she would not allow the Ministry to embarrass itself.

This afternoon Croaker has asked me to come to his laboratories in the Department of Mysteries. I doubt his presentation will result in additional funding, but if it is intriguing enough, he may be allowed to petition for the next fiscal quarter (he might have thought of it before the Minister's staff finalised the budgets for the year!). He refuses to accept that under no circumstances may he apply for private sponsorship, no matter how vital he believes his work to be. Shall have to monitor the situation closely to ensure he does not break protocol for any reason.

Hogwarts is apparently depleting its medicinal supplies this year more quickly than recent terms. Once we receive the official reports and Madam Pomfrey's list we shall be able to better assess the best supplier - and the best methods - of acquiring what is lacking. Crispin is then to arrange meetings with certain Governors who have, shall we say, an interest in assisting the school with its stores.


Miss Parkinson - have you any special message you wish me to convey to your mother? I contacted her earlier this week regarding your birthday and she requested to see me this evening, so I am heading there before leaving London for the week-end.

The Bedouin have a peculiar curse: 'May you be the father of daughters.' I now understand that it refers not only to the loss of primogeniture associated with a progeny of females. I do not know who pronounced it upon me nor how recently, but when I find the wretch .... he shall regret it.

I am at least satisfied that there is no need to over-react to Miss Parkinson's recent unpleasantness. Her trauma over her mother's illness and subsequent remorse are both genuine, something difficult to gauge through the medium of these journals. A minor course correction and a little judicious education and she shall, I am certain, realise the flaws in her previous line of thought and come back to the fold. With luck she may regain the acquaintances she has lost through her indiscreet commentary.

Rosalind was quite co-operative when I explained what must be done. Although she is technically recovered enough to be released before Pansy returns home for the holiday, Rosa has elected to take an extended rest cure in Bath and has entrusted me to see to the details of Pansy's reformation. I sat with her for a short while after her lengthy visit with her daughter, which I am gratified to say lifted her spirits remarkably, but which seemed to affect Pansy in quite the opposite direction.

It was a singular experience to realise that for all her usual taciturn maturity, she is still just a frightened little girl. Fortunately, as before, it was a relatively simple matter to provide guidance, explanation and elucidation, and thus to dispel the least rational of her fears.

It was however necessary to return to St James' Square to freshen her up before going on to our next appointment.

Narcissa had spent the earlier part of the day at Kensington, preparing for the St Mungo's benefit in two weeks, so it was convenient to break the afternoon for tea with her aunt. Pansy presented herself quite well, if not perfectly. Walburga is fit, though she complained quite vocally of feeling an ague coming on. Pansy suggested Pepper-Up Potion; I still do not think she was deliberately impertinent. (If she were, Walburga should, I am sure, cure that with ease.) I brought Pansy back to St James' and Narcissa repaired to Wiltshire.

By Saturday evening, Pansy seemed much recovered from the ordeals of her day, though I am pleased that her attitude remained more demure than it has been. Strong discipline combined with the opportunity to provide concrete examples of the world to which she has been woefully underexposed ought to put her back on track.

She has always had an insatiable appetite for music; this has not changed, nor has her predisposition to question (and question) without regard to the sagacity of the given answer. But she will learn to control the impulse and wait for the proper time and place to ask.


To-day made a vast improvement over last week, beginning with report that the Cherwell and Stroud camp disturbances have been quelled. The camp directors made example of a few organisers. Also Peakes and Dunstan had an update on their project (approved for additional funding per last meeting) and expect to be prepared to conduct Phase II trials by the end of the year. Dunstan prefers to run the double-blind tests in the Foxton district; Peakes advocates Great Chishill; don't much think it will make a difference either way, but Dunstan claims that the water in Great Chishill is less pure and therefore may impact the results.

I shall be heartily relieved when Narcissa's benefit gala has concluded and we may focus on the holidays together. Of all things to miss about the place, I never anticipated appreciating the idea that the boys are nearly always able to amuse themselves without causing too much trouble!

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.