Lucius S Malfoy

Slight change of plan. AN had news via fire. Bring in UA at earliest. Use NM's stationery on blotter; tell her J may be in danger, that will set her running.

May well be true. We shall see.


Note that the report on railway disturbances failed to mention impact of Oct. flares on ironwork. See if you can find Bode and get a revised copy before Court on Friday.


Also, contact Elysian and change my time for Friday - need to get in earlier, before 7 if poss. In fact, find out when BC is running course and overlap his time by about 15 minutes.


And tell Peale if he wants to see me to-morrow it must be between half-one and two.


May have more notes by morning.

Now why do you suppose Dolores Umbridge thinks she has an appointment with me at four o'clock to-day?

Don't cancel at this point. But kindly send me a private message, of any length, no later than quarter past four.


Also provide Selwyn with the list that Dideron supplied and get his list from Igor. Need Dawlish's answers regarding accommodations. Heard from Fudge this morning that there is another discussion on the books early next week regarding the summer; find out who is hosting and why it is not on the calendar - particularly if any of the foreign embassies are involved.

Has Clarriker re-filled his larders using the newly-acquired licence? Check with him and with Miss Poddington regarding Mrs Malfoy's requirements for Kensington next week. And make sure she has what she intended to bring to the children over the week-end.


If you've the time, you might also fetch the galleys back to Charles; they're completed. WWN's latest report is also ready with my comments annotated; this time, remember to keep a copy before forwarding it!


And before you leave this evening I shall need MLE's reports on the DogStar interrogations so I've time to review them before Court. Ned should be able to get them for you if Braithewaite poses any difficulty.

Realising to-day that while I have used the journals for various communications of late, it has been quite some time since I had any leisure to simply update.


Magical Commerce met Monday; nearly all signs of last year's drop in trade seem to have faded and all sectors report traffic back almost to the levels they were at before the illness struck. Crispin appears to be settling in to his new duties well enough. He reports a number of new licence applications for these so-called reduction ... clinics, spas, some of them call themselves clubs or hotels. Every one of them has its own 'guaranteed' method to produce results, naturally. But it is difficult to conceive a better solution when so many wizards have become enamoured of the pies, pasties and various other concoctions made almost entirely from transfigured foods. Suet and fat, most of them; no nutritional value whatever. Have banned Hooper going to the vendors he prefers as he had gained at least a stone since starting with me just over two months ago. At that rate he should have been able to sink a frigate by summertime.


Fudge's anniversary luncheon went well indeed. His address on the WWN is scheduled for early February and ought to be enlightening as well as affirming. Our nation is strong thanks to the measures which Our Lord Protector has adopted.


Speaking of the WWN, heard that the second broadcast channel has been picking up audience. Peale's last report claimed that the new original content - a serial drama and an interview show - have been among the most popular offerings, judging from the post he has received. Of course, the music, particularly the newer music, had a considerable jump in popularity over the holidays, but has dropped off now that the students are back at school. He's asked to monitor it again during the Easter holidays to determine whether they are correlated.

(Incidentally, Draco and Pansy: Saw Nolan last week and he asked me to be sure to remember him to you both, and to tell you not to be too discouraged. His suggestions come from experience. Any idiot can collide words until they scan and rhyme; it takes something altogether different to write a song that captures the attention of an entire country. And he said by all means to keep working on material.)


Everyone at the Elysian was talking about Hogwarts' foray into dramatics, even on Tuesday when Ari and I were there. He, of course, knew that Ptolemy read many of Miss Moon's early drafts and had already made several suggestions to her, resulting in the script that the Governors approved before the project went forward. Still, he was not certain he would attend - and small wonder, as the closer of the first half dwells on Serena's murder. Believe we have all been thinking of the past more often of late, thanks to the Londinarium article. Moody and his minions have much for which to answer, when we bring them to justice. Leicester was particularly difficult for more than one reason but it was not the only day we sacrificed heavily for the privileges we all now enjoy. One cannot regret the cost in light of the eventual victory, but I do wish I had been able to finish capture him either on the day we freed the Ministry of Bagnold and Dumbledore or on that day Tony died. It's fitting Miss Moon assigned him a cat as a familiar: The blackguard has at least as many lives as one, despite how often we whittled away at him.

But I confess it was a great pleasure to run the Ouroboros' course last night with so many others. In a way it was more like the days of old when we were the few who had the courage to follow through on Our Lord's magnificent plan. Certainly, we did not chase quarry near so ... appealing ... as the creatures Travers arranged for us yester-night, nor so willing victims. Must say that Narcissa's training regimen has been nothing but good for her. She kept pace every bit as well as Malvasius and Forney, even Bella at times. (Not that Narcissa was ever less than skilled in duelling, but the course has some sections that are calculated to be challenging even for warlocks in their prime.) I daresay she surprised quite a few members of MLE - and I hope made them fear for their profession, if they can't surpass her!

The only drawback to such a spirited celebration was that neither of us cared to go further than Kensington at evening's end, nor even to-day. We have remained in Town and in a state of utter relaxation - necessary, but something of a lost day. Not even sure what we were supposed to do this afternoon, but whatever it was, our apologies. I trust that the event took place without any notice that we were not in attendance. I do recall we had seats for the opera this evening, but we both agree that's out; we shall re-arrange to attend another performance.

To-morrow, we do not have the luxury of late lie-ins and lazy afternoon teas, however. That much I do recall without consulting my books.


Oh, and Barty - assuming you've any time for journals outside of throwing yourself on Ms Drumgoole's mercy: Should she refuse to forgive you, perhaps the hair ornaments Gaude gave you will convince Miss Golightly to return with you to the ring.

Have been discussing Narcissa's continued quest for a holiday late this month. Shall need to be sure we have all Draco's books and such prior to the trip as there will not be time between returning and his departure for his third year (impossible as it seems to credit that he will begin third year!). I understand that she, Barty and the Razzer made great use of their four hours yesterday to evaluate three of their remaining possible sites. Had hoped to have a decision by the end of the week; doubt this will be possible given that none of the three of them were able to break away to-day for any other visits. Still. The list has been gleaned, and likely will again, before we must simply choose among the best of the bunch.


First of the month accounts have been settled; Wizarding Wireless board met on Monday with no particular news of moment. Except perhaps that there is a proposal to create a second signal with varied programming. It is felt that this will create jobs and satisfy the growing demand for additional (wider) range of programmes. Lively discussion: I do not think old Glendower has stirred himself to such animation in perhaps twenty years! Appreciate the desire to increase the market for jobs, particularly with the numbers of halfbloods who have been unable to return to work and subsequently lost their previous positions; not convinced that expanding the WWN is an appropriate response.


Received post from Amanda: back from the honeymoon and busy settling into their new home, closer to Beauxbatons. She enclosed a photograph taken at the Jiaohe Ruins near Turpan and promises Narcissa a length of silk, a ginger jar and a tea set in bone and silver, as well as carved bone haircombs 'as soon as ever they can be unearthed from the packages' and sent through the post. She does sound as though they spent a lovely time, and notes that 'Etienne collected some near-perfect early Tang scrolls which he hopes to incorporate into his lessons very soon.' Reading between the lines, it seems Mother has apparently already begun to wonder how soon she will be a grandmother again. (No need to rush, my dear sister!)


Narcissa informs me that this autumn will be as busy a season as the summer: We have received invitations to no fewer than four weddings, three engagement parties, three coming-of-age presentations, five birthday celebrations and eight anniversaries before Halloween! Clearly we shall have some difficult decisions to make as they cannot all be satisfied.


Minerva, I hear that congratulations are in order to you, as well, having made your selection of a home in town. Though perhaps 'in town' is a misnomer. Chiswick, really? And you are leaving it open to touring hours? I shouldn't wonder if you need to hire in a hit-wizard to guard your doorstep against petitioning parents wishing to bring their complaints in person. Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing you in residence from time to time. I do hope you have received the figures we discussed at the last Board of Governors' meeting. As it is the summer holiday, I should expect that the staff have had no pressing demands and have been able to fulfill the Board's request.

As mentioned elsewhere, the celebrations on Friday were very enjoyable. Drinks at White's, followed by supper at The Wolseley, which closed to the public for the occasion. The Warlocks were a truly pleasant surprise. The evening went quite late and I fear some indulged rather more than others. (Speaking of which, Minerva, I trust you stayed over in London? Narcissa was concerned you might try to Apparate all the way back to Hogwarts in your ... condition. Are you quite recovered?) We ourselves stayed at Kensington rather than attempt Wiltshire.

Still working through the notes of thanks to all who sent tokens. Draco, your card was much appreciated. No need to apologise for it: The portrait of your Aunt was exceedingly well-done, particularly seeing as it was from memory. I know that you and your fellow students are under some strain with the current restrictions. The remembrance is more important than the form of present - though in this case, the present itself also served admirably. (And to Ari, for the reading glasses: I look forward to paying you back at a suitable moment!)

Luckily for us, Saturday had no set agenda. I confess it was well after noon before I braved the light of day. We did not even return to the Manor until supper, which was spent in a small party including Ari and Pandora, Stephen, Rabastan, Bella and Rodolphus. Sunday continued the relaxing, quiet trend. I do not think I have spent an entire day at home since Christmas. Even able to read a little for leisure, rather than work. Bliss.


Nonetheless, time marches on: Another birthday gone, and March already. First of the month accounts to-day, of course, along with a dash out to Shroton, Ampfield and Broxtowe, in company with Rookwood and Spencer-Wells, to review the progress of the measures enacted to counter Black's sabotage. At a recent court, Our Lord reminded us all that we must conquer our fears to become truly strong, and quite right. The cure, such as it is, has already shown promising results where it has been introduced and with proper precautions observed as they have been in the camps all along, there remains a minimal danger to purebloods. Still, owing to the fullness of the rest of the day, hope the visits will be brief.

Wizarding Wireless Board this afternoon. And back to the Ministry for another discussion with Plympton, Scrimgeour and Minister Fudge on the status of the DoM investigation.


Narcissa received some ill news early this morning. Her niece was admitted to St Mungo's yesterday, with what the Healers are certain is Black's paralysis. She was in the first stages, they said, but until the cure can be modified for half-bloods there is little the staff can do but keep her comfortable and try to control the fever. Narcissa has not decided yet whether she ought to visit, or if it is better to leave her to the care of the Healers and her rest. She may yet go to St Mungo's to-morrow for her regular volunteer shift.


Meanwhile, court and country await. Back to business.