Justin Finch-Fletchley

Good Afternoon,

Have you missed anyone yet today? Everyone reporting in as expected?

I say, I realise I've been unspeakably rude, not inquiring after your health. I know we've never really become acquainted, but as you are part of the extended family, and about to extend that family even more, it would be remiss not to express the hope that everything is going well with Hydra's soon-to-be half-sibling.

I do trust the stress of running MLE in your condition hasn't adversely affected anything. Do you know, back when Hydra thought I came from Squibs, one of the things we discussed was that her father's rather significant prejudice against them was not merely academic. Apparently the Lestranges were jolly well prone to the birthing of Squib children, not too long ago.

Now, for us, of course, that wasn't an issue. I'm not one to complain about a lack of magic in the family, or any of its descendants, what. Hydra has quite rejected all her family's ridiculous notions about blood purity or magical ability. But for someone like Rodolphus, who sets so much importance on his lineage, it must be a bally well tense time indeed. One can't imagine he'd be pleased with anything less than a perfect heir. Pity. I was always under the impression that the best parents pray only that the child be whole and healthy, and that mother and infant both thrive afterward.

I'm curious: Did you look into spells to assure that the child will be male? Antonin might have helped you there, if you'd asked him.

I say, come to think of it, has he been of much help, at all, since Barty's demise? Or is your husband's former wife keeping Tosha too busy with her own errands?

Well, don't let me take up more of your valuable time. It can't be easy or comfortable getting round at present and I'm sure you've loads of things to attend to.

NL 021, by the way.

Regards,

-Finch-Fletchley

Dux,

Rachel's just sent an elf to tell me to get to NL. I've got my list; apparently there's been a change in the landscape. She thinks I might well be able to capitalise.

If I'm not back for a few days--well, I love you. PMs will mean I'm alive and all right, just as before.

Sweet dreams,

-J

Hullo,

Draco, how are you settling in to your impersonation?

Gents, Hydra's heard part of this already but: I don't think I'm going to get to Corbyn this way. For one thing he's too careful. Always Apparates directly where he's going, never eats in public restaurants, and when he is in public he's never alone. Moreover I can only maintain surveillance on one location at a time. Now that Draco's at the Elysian, I may change over and find a place to set up outside Ouroboros, instead.

What I think is needed are some good strategies for creating circumstances in which it's possible to take him unawares--well, anyone, really, but in particular Corbyn for right now. I don't want to ask Rachel to commit ever more resources, what, as you and the others all have quite enough to do already. But it's clearly going to be necessary to change one's methods every time, as their people are dashed effective at adapting and tightening security. Not that that's surprising, but it does make things rather inconvenient.

If he lived alone, I'd chance trying to dismantle his wards, or bluff my way in. That might well work for another sort of target. Corbyn has a family, what.

Diversions or commotions requiring them to respond is a trick that can only work so often. Perhaps I should take a leaf out of Draco's book and find a barber, masseuse, aesthetist or other service employee to replace who can get me within arm's length of the chap.

-Justin

Rachel,

On my way back. I thought I nearly had a perfect opportunity Saturday, what--it didn't pan out quite but it gave me enough hope to stay on another day or two (well, you surely got my Patronus). Unfortunately since then, he's been rather resistant to being caught. Dashed inconsiderate of the man.

I do think I've gathered enough useful intelligence that perhaps with a sufficient lure, I can take him under the right circumstances. We can talk when I return?

I say, after a shower. Trust me, you'll be grateful I've taken the time.

-Justin

Hullo,

As you all might imagine, Ron, Hydra and I have been with MLE most of the day. Ron and I were just in a nearby pub with Professors Desai and Dolohov (we couldn't well refuse, what), and in the middle of our supper, Professor Dolohov received a summons to Court, instructing him to bring me along.

I've excused myself just long enough to write this, what, but I can't keep him waiting.

I've no idea why we're being called. I say, Professor Dolohov did not look terribly pleased that I was asked to attend along with him.

Must dash. Mrs Longbottom, if I can't report anytime soon, Ron's aware of what we observed today.

-Justin

Ron, Neville--I say, I know you didn't get on with Thomas but it still must be a terrible thing to lose someone you spent so much time with. Has Madam Hooch said anything about a memorial service? How is everyone in Gryffindor?

Cedric, I say, were you able to get any other information out of Professor Dolohov? I tried to ask a few well-phrased questions of concern but Professor Dolohov wasn't having any of it, what.

In light of the crisis, it may not have been evident that not everyone got owls last night at supper. Zach did, what; it said that the sponsors had shifted things round after learning of Avery's death and that Montague's taken over as his sponsor. So he's not out, after all. I say, he was rather surprised. (Bobolis said his letter thanked him but that he was no longer in the competition, what.) Ron, have you been reassigned? Bad business, if so, old man--I know you were hoping this meant you'd escaped the worst.

I say, it's going to be dashed difficult listening to Patil and Finnigan in Noble Arts this morning but perhaps I can find out what on earth they were thinking, or what Professor Dolohov told her, if that's helpful.

-Justin

I say, I thought Padma's illusion outside was in poor taste but Dean's contribution just now was...well disturbing.

Hydra, I'm sure Jack's all right. He ran straight out when it was over. I tried to catch him but he slipped past.

Ernie said the cat with the spiked collar is Megan's. Is that right, Sue? I say, I'd seen it down the sett but hadn't taken notice of who its owner is.

I daresay one can tell Thomas has never had a pet of his own, what, or he'd never presume to use others' pets like that. Particularly when they were all running about afterward. Did anyone else notice that one of the cats upset a milk jug all down Narcissa Lonsdale's robes? I say, the poor thing's not having an easy time of it, what. Between that and Crabbe and Goyle's hex, I'm sure she wishes she'd not left Ravenclaw Tower today.


Draco, the painting's yours, isn't it? It's quite good. Rather subtle, what, particularly compared to the rest of the entries. At least it doesn't cause chaos in our midst.

-F-F

Hullo, everyone,

I hope you've all had a pleasant Christmas, or as pleasant as possible under the circumstances. Christmas with the Jugsons was good, if a bit odd now and then, as it's bound to be.

But this has been a bally well interesting afternoon!

As Malfoy mentioned earlier, the Jugsons, Lestranges, Malfoys and Pennifolds have a luncheon every year on Boxing Day and the Jugsons brought me along. I say, it was quite a surprise to see Professor Dolohov, what! We were expecting Professors Lestrange and Sinistra but I'd rather believed it to be a family affair. I suppose Mr Malfoy does consider Professor Dolohov to be family. Mr Rosier was there and asked me how I've found the Protectorate as a citizen, what, but I noticed that he wasn't really listening to the answer. Also, apparently Finnigan usually comes as his ward but he wasn't along today. Mr Rosier said he's not been feeling well. That's not entirely true, we learned. Let me explain:

After luncheon, Hydra took me on a tour of her grandmother's house, mostly as an excuse to be alone together for a while. We got to the library, which is a snug little round room with a fireplace and a cosy sort of sitting area. And we thought we'd be safe there for a bit if we wanted to--well, to pass the time for a while, what.

But then we heard people approaching and Hydra pointed to the study off the library as a good place to go and collect ourselves. Only once we were inside, we realised two things: First, that there isn't any other door out except into the library; and second, that everyone on the other side of that door was a Councilwizard (or witch, her mother was along, too).

So we stayed and listened.

First off, as I said, it seems Finnigan's not ill, but Mr Rosier has been keeping him secluded at home, under some sort of potion. It sounded like a drugged sleep, Hydra said probably Dreamless Sleep but it could be even stronger than that, what, from the sound of it. No idea why, except that we thought we heard Mr Rosier say 'Only another day'--but that might have been two days, there was a pause and we couldn't hear. Then Professor Dolohov said--it had to have been him, what, because of the accent--that it was a terrible idea, as he'd never be 'ready' to do what was 'required of him' if he isn't properly prepared.

Well, then one of the other men asked if he could even do it if he were properly prepared, and they laughed. But Professor Dolohov and (I suppose it must have been Mr Rosier) said yes, they think he's capable, and anyway 'he'll have to be.'

Oh, someone asked if Mr Malfoy had had any more dealings with the Yaxleys. He said he spoke to Mr Yaxley and there aren't going to be any 'repercussions' - I say, I've no idea what was the matter between them but he seemed confident there was nothing to worry about - only then he added something like, 'except, of course, that he is even more fervent to do Our Lord's bidding.'

Well, Auror Lestrange said, 'He should have been in the first place!' and then they all started speaking and it was hard to hear but eventually Professor Dolohov asked Mr Malfoy if he were still willing to be his first acolyte for the ceremony, because he would think it no dishonour if he were not up to it and preferred 'Barty' (Auror Crouch, that must be) to assist in the primary and he’d get another second. Then Hydra recognised her uncle's voice (Professor Lestrange, I mean to say) and he said something that made them all laugh, and Professor Dolohov said, 'I can still out-duel you any day of the week,' and something in Russian that made them all laugh again. Mr Malfoy said no, that if he thought it would weaken him (meaning Professor Dolohov) too much, he ought to have Barty be the...something (Magus?)--and that he'd probably enjoy it more, anyway, which ought to make the ceremony that much more effective.

Then Auror Lestrange said that if that were the case, she and Barty ought to do it with Professor Dolohov assisting them, and make everyone ashamed to be in Our Lord's company.

They got quiet then. Eventually, Mr Lestrange asked if they thought He was serious about bringing in new blood, such as Pennifold or some of the others who've been looking for favour. They mentioned several people but no one was sure what He would do about them. Then they got on to the topic of people currently at school, what! We heard Draco’s name and Pansy’s, and we tried to listen to what Mr Malfoy had to say but he must have quashed the discussion about both of them, because the next name we heard them mention was Zabini, and after that whether Warrington or Montague were ready for it.

Of course, that put Professors Lestrange and Dolohov onto the whole duelling club mess, what, and Professor Dolohov in particular was flatly against any sort of recommendation for most of them, especially Teddy Nott, and including Crabbe and Goyle, at present. Sally-Anne, he did mention that he’s got his eye on you--and me, dash it, as potential recruits (though, I say, Auror Lestrange didn’t think much of either suggestion, which I thought bally well comforting).

Mr Lestrange changed the subject. He seemed to think that someone named Strangeweale might have had something to do with the attack, that there was an article in the paper that suggested it could have been someone who worked for him who levelled the platform. But Auror Lestrange said that was just nonsense made up to cover up for the Irish making it to British soil.

Mr Malfoy said yes, but that didn't change the fact that Strangeweale's a right plonker (he, er, didn't use those words, precisely) and that he feared for the realm if He couldn't be brought to see that Strangeweale's not trustworthy. He also mentioned that Glendower's an idiot and said something about Mr Thicknesse, but Mr Rosier defended him and said besides that now wasn't the time to be fragmenting among themselves.

Mr Malfoy told him that it wasn't that simple, when the 'new lot' were circling every day. He also said that these days, going to Court could be--something, but we think maybe it was 'as dangerous as'--being in the field fighting the 'insurgents.'

That was well shocking enough, but that got them on to the graffiti that had been scrawled on the Protectorate Hall at Mr Weasley's memorial service (did anyone get a look at it?) and how it was disgraceful and disrespectful and so on. (Mr Malfoy said something, and I'm sorry, Pansy, Ron, it wasn't altogether kind to Mr Weasley, what. I'll not repeat it here but--well, it's enough to say that we all know they didn't get on well.)

Just about then there was a knock and it was Mrs Malfoy and Mrs Black, coming to tell them it was time for pudding and brandy. So they all left, and we waited to make sure they were gone but then we had to leave, too, to come back to the table.

I say. Hermione, it sounded like the sort of thing the Wand Smugglers ought to hear, so I've tried to write it all down as soon as ever I could do. (Which took quite a long time, as you can see!) Hydra, have I left out anything we ought to include?

-Justin