Private message to Tosha and Barty

[alt_rodolphus]

There is a wound that continues to leak blood. Raz, now Lucius. Cad will sense weakness and attempt a killing stroke, if he's given the chance.

Who can we count among us? I have the Sandoval-Pennifolds, and Ptolmey will follow them. Will make overtures to Crispin and Ari, too.

I don't think Stephen will stand against us, but he may prefer to stand alone. Unless Bella's mother can convince him otherwise.

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

Take care with Baddock. Tosha believes he'd repaired things with L recently, but as we've no certainty who betrayed L's French dealings, we have to consider it could have been Baddock. Whom else had L told? Not Tosha. Not me. Not Bella. But it's plausible, is it not?

Not saying it must be true. If it's not, expect Baddock may be grateful to hear from you.

Agree about P and S-P.

Rosier's worth pursuing. If you prefer not to lean on Druella, Tosha says he'll make an approach.

[alt_rodolphus]

I struggle to imagine Lucius confiding in Baddock and no other, even if they had recently mended ties. Nor do I envision him letting a careless word slip elsewhere.

He wrote his sister, Amanda. They were close, as I understand, but the Missus has alluded to a rough patch in their history.

What about the assistant? He's been with Lucius for some time, if memory serves.

[alt_crouch_jr]

We've searched his office for surveillance traps. Residences. Club. Nothing. Or nothing remains.

Those are all possibilities.

Believe the business with his sister was blocking an inappropriate match she intended. (Gather it was a permanent block.) So it could be revenge served cold.

The assistant's a Weasley. Has always seemed entirely sycophantic. Understand Weasley aimed to earn Our Lord's Mark. Gather L thought it unlikely. May or may not have made that plain to W, but I never saw any sign W was anything but starstruck by L. Beside himself with his good fortune at having the position.

[alt_antonin]

Lyoushka's clerk thinks well of me. If we need someone to lean on him, I will do the leaning.

And depending on what Our Lord does with this contest: the children know me in kindly-professor mode, and would likely cling to an outstretched hand if it came from dear old Dyadya Tosha. Worth a try.

I have arranged for tea with Stephen later in the week once I have recovered more. I will feel him out as subtly as I can.