Lucius S Malfoy

Heard from Cornelius and Rufus this morning that MLE have arrested the two suspects in the Beadell murder? Evidently, review of the Private Messages has borne fruit. Rufus also mentioned a droll little fellow by the name of Rapley - apparently there was nothing of too much note, after all, once the enforcer heard his response. Trust they shall keep an eye on him in future, however.

No further reaction to Snape's entry, then? Rufus mentioned Bella has someone preparing a few entries to be posted in a similar manner, with mis-information calculated to entrap the traitors who follow the posts' advice. Not sure if she has communicated with you or with Massopust directly regarding the creation or appropriation of the journals for the project.

We were interrupted this morning by Bagman, of all people, with news that I took to be of some importance to him. To Cornelius as well, more's the pity. More work for International Affairs. Suspect you'll hear about it at Fudge's staff meeting but .... Allow that it could be a morale-boosting endeavour for the whole country, if handled correctly. If botched, potentially staggering breach of national security, however.

In any event, added to the burden on Hogwarts next year, should make for a busy summer for us all.

Oh, Narcissa asked me to tell you she's planning a small supper in a week or two at Kensington and wanted to be sure you and Chloe are free. The ... 22nd April, in point of fact. Check with Chloe (if your marriage is anything like ours, I know it's she who'll keep the diary!) and let me know so I can tell her? (She's still dividing her time between St Mungo's and Kensington, for the moment. Gather Barty tried to check himself out of St M's this morning, against Healers' advice, and she cast a sticking charm to fix his pyjamas to the hospital bed! Expect I shall hear any moment that she wishes to install him in Kensington rather than allow him to return to Marlborough. Because they are so very far removed from one another, after all. I do try to give her the benefit of the doubt - after all, we have had a trying year of losses and they have taken more toll on her than anyone - but have no wish to see Barty chafe under the iron rule of another Black matriarch. On the other hand, her presence did make the Prophet's article a much stronger piece, as she was able to keep Norah monopolising the reporters and simultaneously help Barty maintain his dignity under their scrutiny. Apparently he was still quite drugged when they came to call.)

Well - ought to be getting on and you as well. Congratulations again and compliments to Massopust's staff on their diligent review.

Long discussion with Narcissa this evening, but she has agreed that it is better for the Prophet to assist in a controlled campaign to dispel the rumours than allow the gossip rags to run rampant with indiscriminate stories. I've booked in with Fudge to-morrow morning to brief him on approving your proposal. Let me know if Scrimgeour gives you any difficulty; heard from Hopkirk that she'll endorse whatever plan you devise. We can meet with Bole to-morrow afternoon or Wednesday - as your diary allows - to cover the permissible details.

Perhaps Travers ought to provide the Prophet with a selected analysis of the false tracts. Nothing too supportive to Black's originals, of course, but enough to reduce the matter to one of mockery and disdain - and naturally the passages that are least likely to emanate from one with his history or background. Bole can provide follow-up articles linking the sightings to Zuckerman's theories regarding Snape, which should further deflect the rumours and remind the public to report any suspicious encounters.

The whole business makes me wish for the days of Monitoring spells again. Pity it's completely unrealistic to put the topic into a Taboo, especially considering that the terms are so common. It was burdensome enough in those early months. Still, it's a comfort to think that anyone attempting to resurrect Black by attracting attention will eventually gain yours.

One favour, if you don't mind: She has said nothing to me directly, but I recognise in my wife the signs of ... let us say, optimism, at the implications of some of your team's reports. She may well take the notion that if this mysterious figure is in fact real, is alive and has enough similarities to Black to pass for him .... Should she come to you with any such ideation, I hope you will not encourage her. I think neither of us would care to see her return to the distress she suffered at either of Regulus' infamous disappearances. Dementors aside, by summer's end I had thought her much recovered; this newest development may set her back if she is allowed to run away with false hopes. To say nothing of the consequences (potentially from more than one source, if you take my meaning) were her belief to become known, especially after the job we had explaining his instabilities. I am sure I can rely on your discretion to handle her with care should she impose upon your sympathies with any outlandish thought that Regulus might have slipped his bonds a second time.

Let Crispin know when to have me at Bole's - no, on second thought, better tell us both; he missed my instruction to push back the appointment following your brief on Friday. Lucky it was only to the club for Mulciber. Well. I shall sort Fudge in the morning, and then my clerk, make no mistake.