Lucius S Malfoy

Weasley, meet me in the office in two hours.

Much to explain but in brief:

-As you know, the Ministry's archive of Private Messages was destroyed; thus we have, for the time being at least, total privacy from any who might try to interfere.

-Evidence against Draco strongly suggests there is more to the accusation than libel. Still attempting to clear his name but it is now apparent that he will need to present himself to do so.

-Convinced Our Lord to offer a temporary reprieve, if Draco does return. However, it is still possible that he is being held against his will and will not be able to return within the window extended by Our Lord's beneficence.

-Am drafting notice for the Prophet to offer reward for information leading to Draco's release or return. Weasley, you will need assistance screening replies. Hire someone.

-Cancel after-noon appointments to-mor -

Oh, blast. Will cancel after-noon myself.

There are far too many baskets and boxes littering the front parlour. Take what you like - only see to it that the elf removes to the pantry anything you do not claim.

Have been meaning to ask if you intend to take any time away this holiday, particularly this coming Friday and Saturday. Recognise that the days may have greater significance this year.

Naturally, if you wish to spend the day in your own way, would not think of stopping you. However, should you have no other plans, might have an invitation which could interest you.

Besides this week-end, there are a number of other parties which Mrs Malfoy and I simply cannot attend and, as with Crabbe's, we ought to send some representation. Come in when you have a moment and we may look through the list.

Need you on standby - there has been a disturbance at Saltash which is apparently proving resistant to peacekeeping forces.

May need you to re-arrange meetings to-morrow. Particularly morning meetings.

Pansy,

Allegations have reached us that you've agreed to enter into business with Fred and George Weasley.

Shall give you this one chance to deny any truth to these rumours. As you know, Mr Baddock and I take tea every Tuesday, as we have done for many years, and he is fully aware of the situation. We have reviewed your last year's transactions and he has confirmed that at no time did you and he discuss an inclination to embark in commerce as a financial backer.

However. We did note a number of requests which in retrospect add to something somewhat ... irregular.

Have you anything to say to us? What explanation can you give for these unusually large sums - and shall we pursue the Weasleys to the fullest extent possible for their libel and fraud?

What have we said about not interrupting when I am in Court?

Luckily, had a moment when I could step away - only to find there were also urgent messages from Crispin, Ned and Ptolemy.

What the hell's going on?

First priority: Permanent staff for Private Message monitoring. No use giving anyone else a chance to infiltrate. Work with Crispin and Pennifold. Leave Massopust to Crispin for now.

Trust you now understand why it was not an opportune time to press for entry. What happened to Higgs could have happened to you.

After-noon to-day is far too busy; reschedule half the appointments. Leave at least 30 minutes between each.

Have list of additional meetings needed in the next week. Keep 30-min intervals through Wednesday.

Do not bring tea this morning. Send elf.

Well, thank Mordred that's over.

Stephen, he did well. Quite well. Let me know if time with others his age will help him put this behind him. Harry's spending most of the holiday with us at the Manor; he could go flying with the boys and not dwell on what's been done.

Tosha, it seems you took the curse for us all in conducting Weasley elsewhere; you might be disappointed you separated, however, for Razzer joined us in Oban. (Thankfully he did not press us for details of the event, other than to ask if it had been successful.)

Dominic seemed to need the refreshment almost more than anyone. Kept going on about last Friday (and this), and how unpredictable He is becoming. Believe the business with Bettina truly unsettled him.

Don't know if you know this but Chloe locked him out that night. Then there was her outburst toward Razzer's astronomer, of course. Advised him that if he's truly worried about Our Lord's wrath being visited on his wife, he ought to counsel her toward more discretion, in future. He wasn't pleased with the remark but was too far in his cups already to give much protest.

Unfortunately, that did not stop him fretting over what might come next. First preventing Bettina Yaxley from holding a wand to punish Claudius. Then this business of forcing your ward to get his hands unnecessarily bloody, Stephen. He even suggested that Our Lord might take a notion to combine the two and force one of our children to kill one of our wives. (Do not need the night terrors that conjured!)

In the end we decided to book him a room. If he's having that much trouble with Chloe, she surely would not appreciate his arrival by Floo, stinking of firewhiskey, smoke and blood magic.

Merciful Morgana, it's been an absolute bitch of a week.

Dearest,

Don't settle in just yet. I've spoken with Fudge, Mafalda and Claudius regarding the statements to the press, and conferred with Dominic before he was released from St M's. Still discussing with Stephen what we may need of the Finnigan lad.

Have just paid a call on the Weasley clan - the entirety of it, or what is left of it. They're waiting to remove his remains for a vigil. Say what we will of your cousin, at least she observes some of the proper ways.

However, as I mentioned at the bomb party site, Our Lord was (understandably) most wroth and intended to summon us all to Him before the end of the evening. Have just heard from Claudius that He means to convene the full Court. Not sure what it bodes. But be ready, my love.

It would be a gross miscalculation to displease Him tonight.

Your message's timing could not have been better. Cannot abide Madama Butterfly but it's one of Narcissa's favourites (though will say it is diverting to see the interpretation of a muggleborn Butterfly). Perfect excuse to step outside to the bar.

Yes, see no reason to cancel lunch on the 15^th (my apologies, again, for last month). But in advance of our meeting, would be most grateful if you could look into the deed history and provenance on several addresses obtained from Miss Blishwick - she continues to be an excellent source of information, if nothing yet has led to concrete evidence against Maule. Am forwarding an owl with the pertinent locations.

Regarding Saturday's invitation from Fleet, unfortunately, have had additional conflict arise and must decline. Do your best to assure him it is as much business as pleasure. Could send Weasley if you think some representation necessary, however, trust you to provide much better account of my absence than his presence would bring about.

Speaking of Weasley, you may wish to counsel him on his current ... domestic arrangement. He has been somewhat distracted by it of late. Confess that I had my doubts, for all that I supported his removal from that hovel his parents call a home. New London agrees with him; his particular living arrangements, I fear, may not. Have not wished to pry, as you know I pride myself on allowing him, as you, freedom to make decisions fitting an adult who needs no one to tell him what is best. However, the question of balance is, always, one we must wrestle at all times.

Pleased you found the introduction to Glozeman useful. He is a particular friend of Glendower's (the elder); see if you can parlay the one to bring you near the other. While the son is an utter fool, the father has ... protections ... which may prove valuable in time. (And of course, anything they can be brought to say about Strangeweale or Caldwell - particularly as it relates to whatever Dolores' plans are - would be most appreciated.)

By the way. Heard from Ned that you have been by his desk more than once to see if Barty has given him extra tickets to Puddlemere that he can't use; don't know if I mentioned that Cuthbert continues to send tickets on a regular basis and Weasley has little interest. Feel free to contact him if you're of a mind to go and Ned is not forthcoming.

As for Antonin Nikolaevich, rest assured, when the opportunity arises, shall arrange introduction. His time in New London is currently extremely limited, but even if there is no prior engagement which affords the occasion, he'll naturally attend our Christmas party, so it will come about, sooner or later.

Trust otherwise you are keeping well and look forward to seeing you, particularly since last month's meeting was irretrievably jostled.

Ned, if you please, see if you can coax Barty to eat. There's a lad.

Weasley, go and find Hieronymus Bole as well as Barnabas Cuffe. Cannot be done via Private Message; Floo is fine so long as it does not generate too many inquiries. Require them at MLE headquarters at their earliest convenience, with full lists of the Prophet staff during both their tenures (Yes, aware this will take Hieronymus a while).

Also, last month's inspection tour of Bawsey. There was a witch on the team telling us about the fortifications to the waterfronts in King's Lynn. Blishwick, I think? Well, whatever the name: She had details of the piers and mentioned similar projects using camp personnel in Southampton, Hull and Birkenhead. Should like her to bring the elevations and the list of all labourers assigned to any of the work, particularly anything to do with shoring the foundations or work under-water on pilings and such. As soon as possible, please.

Last: Have copious pages of notes from interrogations beginning around 5:00 AM. See if you can pull them into coherence in time for Court. Shall need Yaxley and Hopkirk to read over before presenting.