Lucius S Malfoy

There is something about spending significant time visiting the infirm that makes even the most stalwart of witches at times a watering pot.

Barty, thank you for seeing Narcissa home last night. As it happened, I was at Windsor rather later than I'd expected - an honour, to be sure, but not one I had anticipated - and arrived back at the Manor to find she had fallen asleep before the elf could serve her supper. Exhausted, no doubt, by the events of the last few days. (And I gathered that Walburga has not been making her visits any easier.)

She went again today, though found no real change in the patient. The St Mungo's staff have spoken to her about keeping him on for 'further evaluation' - though there seems to be little merit to the exercise. His arm, according to Narcissa, needed no change of dressing to-day, and when she spoke to Healer MacCowan, he indicated that Regulus had excellent range of motion and his small motor control ought to be as good as ever in another day or two. One presumes, therefore, that he could continue any physical therapy required by means of regular visits, rather than remaining in care. Suspect someone in the administration hopes to impress Walburga with the institute's dedication to the degree that she may opt to fund an improvement of some kind; equally suspect the office know her not at all well, if this is indeed the justification for lavishing unnecessary attention on her remaining son.

Pansy, I did receive the letter you wrote; however, after hearing Narcissa's report of his condition, and most particularly his frame of mind, we believe it might be best to wait before delivering it. I'm sure he will appreciate what you have to say to him - only, not just now. From what your 'Aunt' tells me, he has quite disengaged himself for the time being; even your jokes would fall on deaf ears at the moment. It is too soon for all that. But I am glad to hear you are tolerating your visits to Madam Pomfrey and not neglecting your school work. I have begun an answer to your owl at least thrice in the past week. Unfortunately, cannot seem to manage two paragraphs without either an interruption of family crisis; or learning that you, Draco, Harry and your good friend Weasley flouted school rules and placed yourselves in mortal peril; or being called away from my quill on state business. I hope that this week, I may be able to respond to you with a proper balance of paternalistic aid and sympathy untaxed by further cause for shock and stern disappointment. For the moment, suffice to say that I am relieved beyond measure that the foolhardiness all of you displayed was rewarded with equally implausible luck.


Spent much of to-day working through the impressive backlog of requests to be reviewed at Muggle-born Labour on Tuesday, now that the camps are fully operational once more. The camps have prepared their final casualty reports, which will be presented to the Committee by a representative from Muggle Domestication.


Must have Crispin co-ordinate a few minutes' time with Selwyn over this UWP business.

Home from the Baddocks' - Pandora is still a trifle vexed that she was wrong several weeks ago and little Natalie has not yet exhibited her magic. Narcissa assured her that it will come in due course. Malcolm grows taller every time we see him and Lucy and Antonia seem well over their shy stage. Ari has been working with all three of them; we were treated to a short display of wand work before going in to supper.


Everyone is talking about this Londinarium periodical that debuted to-day. I daresay that leaving The Prophet was the best thing young Bobolis ever did. To say nothing of his flare for the dramatic - imagine pulling such a stunt merely to secure the interview in the first place. Well, the Witches' Institute certainly thanks him, and from what I hear, he has reason to thank them in return! If the next issue matches this one it promises a most ... interesting future for him. (In fact, Ari has a mind to let him photograph Kenwood, now that it is fully appointed.)

Regulus, wherever did he get those photographs? There are at least three Narcissa and I had never before seen. We had a long chuckle over that ludicrous shot of the traitor - quite a find on Bobolis' part, I must say.


Otherwise, lost track of the number of times I was drawn into conversations on some pretext or other, only to find that the assembly wished in reality to inquire about the state of the labour crews and the retraining progress. Do I strike them as a camp administrator? The training will progress as quickly as possible. As for the defective labour details, it is not surprising, although I must agree it is distressing. The Council have reviewed the reports and find that this season's flu epidemic has debilitated much more of the population of mudbloods and muggles than anticipated. The situation is in hand, however, and I am sure the Council will devise an appropriate solution before the holiday season reaches its peak. Nonetheless, it bears a mention to MacMillan so that the Labour Committee can once again assess the demand and supply of ready workers.


On a brighter note, saw Rookwood this week at the Ministry and he believes he has made something of a breakthrough in his research. If all goes well, it should alter the course not only of the labour shortage but the quality of that labour, once the industrial rates can again be increased.


Spoke to Clarriker this week as well, chiefly regarding the items Narcissa reported seeing at Laszlo's of London. Never fear, Regulus, we shall not deprive you of your local source. On the other hand, it would be mad not to ensure that other outlets may grasp at the same luxuries as can be found in the opulence of Doughty Conduit. Though you might wish to find another 'little gem' for a while anyway; if the article generates the sort of interest I suspect it shall, you may not be able to walk out your door without legions of admirers dogging your steps.

While on the subjects of contagions, cures and importations, Minerva, have you reviewed the consumption rates of your hospital wing this year? I hope that, despite the increased infectiousness of this year's colds and flu, we do not face another winter like last year, with dire predictions of mortality lest the Governors act expeditiously.


Looking ahead to the school holidays, have arranged with Walburga (and Rosalind) to accompany Miss Parkinson to her tea. (Must remember to gauge her reaction to the Londinarium since surely she will have seen it by now. Overall, expect her to be pleased with the light it puts on Reg and Orion, but of course, there are some distressing inclusions.) Deuced inconvenient, since Muggleborn Labour may go overlong, but then it also serves as a good reason to keep the meeting short. Pansy, you will be happy to know our strategy worked admirably well, just as I predicted. Your mother believes I am doing her the favour, rather than the other way round. Well done, my dear.

On the other hand, she has not grown so grateful as to defer her requests on her own behalf. Consented to allow her and her Mr Campbell to accompany Narcissa and myself to the release party for Solstice Night's new album. Apparently Mr Campbell fancies himself in the recording industry, among other things.


Finally, noted the incident at Hogwarts yesterday. Mr Marvolo, I am sure your esteemed Father has already assured you that you need feel neither remorse nor apprehension at displaying your abilities to good effect before your classmates. In a duel, such tactics are not only expected but often necessary. Your conduct was in no way unseemly, particularly not if provoked by events such as have been described. Think nothing of it.

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!