Private message to Lana Sandoval-Pennifold

[alt_rodolphus]

- Lana,

Apologies, set-up has taken longer than I anticipated. The foreman underestimated in his calculations for population density, and all my charm-setting had to be recalibrated.

Damned tiresome work.

How are you feeling? And how was your lunch with your Abuelita? Did notice that you wrote to Tosha. Anything amiss there?

Comments

[alt_lana]

Honestly, can no one manage a job properly any more? I'm sorry you had to be inconvenienced like that.

And I missed you at supper. Tosha didn't make it, either. Apparently he went to check on the Baddocks and found Finch-Fletchley assaulting Ptolemy. Tosha engaged him and was injured. Only slightly, he promises me. At any rate, the French pox got away from him. He said the Baddocks are gone. Except for Ptolemy, that is, and he's dead.

I suppose it's been a stressful day all around. Save for my tea with Abuelita, which was lovely, and it was so good to have her come to the palace to see my offices and have a tour. We took one of those beautiful gilded chairs and used it to carry her through all the rooms. She really did seem to enjoy it.

Only I've missed her so, but perhaps we'll all be on better footing now. She even asked after you, which is a notable sign. Mind you, Abueloberto didn't come, but if she accepts us, he'll come around.

I got a bit emotional when she left, and I think I may have frightened Catchlove. He didn't seem to know what to do with it, so I sent him home even though there was a great deal still to accomplish tonight. I suppose it's as well you've been tied up: I've been buried in parchments and ledgers.

[alt_rodolphus]

It's a rather unusual job, considering. And at this rate I suppose that I and the rest of the team may as well consider it a full time affair, if we're to keep throwing festivals and parties to placate the public.

Ptolemy dead? Better than at Bella's hands - or perhaps worse, if one imagines what must have gone through the lad's mind when he was felled by such a thing.

Do hope Tosha hasn't found reason to hesitate.

I'm glad you enjoyed your tea with Abuelita, even if a certain degree of emotional turmoil is to be expected in such hopelessly complicated family matters.

[alt_lana]

It's only because you're the very best at such things, you know. There's no one else who could deliver the same quality.

Yes, such a waste, Ptolemy. Not that he was without faults, but he did make himself useful. And we can't keep losing people like that. We simply must recruit more talent to the Ministry and the Department, but it's just like with your crew tonight--so difficult to find skilled help willing to work with dedication. Thank goodness for Catchlove. And Braithewaite's giving fair marks to his new adjutant, Zabini. I suppose we should have thought of the PSS sooner as a way to involve our highest talents who have chosen employment outside the government, but have much-needed skills to lend.

Tosha will be fine. He's promised to let me hear from him in the morning. I intend to ask him a bit more about his scheme for entering the castle. I can't let go of the thought that it would be beyond useful to have that Hogwarts roll in our possession. A record of every magical birth as it happens. Very, very useful, given all of the records we lost when the Ministry fell.

[alt_rodolphus]

Mm, yes.

Though one can't help but get the creeping sensation that pinning all our hopes on recruitment and talent would be unwise, given the meagre offerings. Relatively speaking.

Can't imagine a single one among them who could amount to a Barty Crouch, or a Dominic Selwyn. Or a Raz Lestrange.

If you're confident in Tosha's council then I will endeavour to do the same. It's not his abilities that I doubt, it's the level of his spirit.

[alt_lana]

I'm entirely confident in him, love. He dealt with Honoria for us today. I simply could not allow her to continue poisoning my relations with the rest of them. It's appalling that they couldn't bring themselves to sever ties with her even when it became clear she'd committed herself willingly to the Phoenixes.

At any rate, that's done. And done in such a way that she'll appear to have met a tragic, but entirely natural end.

I couldn't ask for a better friend, could I?

Oh, do come home. You're beginning to sound positively gloomy, and I can't help but think it's because you've been made to labour like a common wand, day in and day out.

[alt_rodolphus]

If I'm gloomy it is because I have lost much, in spite of all that I have gained.

Though all the labouring doesn't help the matter.

I think some face-to-face time with my soon-to-be-wife would lift my spirits immensely.

If you're not too tired, I'll make myself presentable.

[alt_lana]

Present yourself any way you like, and you'll see how much energy I have left!

I defy you to look gloomy once I've had my way with you.

[alt_rodolphus]

See, you've already made me smile.