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Ministry and Mudbloods
Feb. 14th, 2009 10:24 amAttended 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.
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.
