Private message to Lana

[alt_rodolphus]

Working on that report for Hopkirk et al, already logged the details of items #O-428 and #O-431 along with theorised use. Details of items #O-427, #O-429, #O-430, and #O-432 also logged, but left theorised use blank.

But then, as I was shaving a bit ago I did note that my own straight razor (belonged to my father, a charmed piece in the family for years) was much like item #O-429, lacking only the mother-of-pearl inlay. Did any of the above items (excluding #O-428 and #O-431) remind you of things you've used within your own home? Or perhaps your Father's shop?

Now on a less business-as-usual note...

Lana - Good morning.

Comments

[alt_lana]

Well, everyone has hand mirrors, don't they? Of one design or another. #O-427 is neither as ornate nor as expensive as most of the equivalent items my father carries at Harrods, but it is like ones we have at home and at the shop in terms of being decorative and silver of a good weight, and being magically voiced. The mirror I use at home belonged to my father's great grandmother, and it's very Spanish baroque: putti hold up the mirror with great, swirling silver ribbons; they talk back and forth to one another. Usually they agree with what the mirror suggests to me when I look in it, but sometimes they get up to mischief.

My mirror, of course, hasn't been used to practise layering Dark curses like the one we've been examining. Certainly mine doesn't try to blind you if you look in its glass!

(I need to look at my notes for the others.)

#O-430 Hair brush. Art Nouveau. French. Likely from a set including comb and possibly mirror (but not item #O-427). Sure. I've seen nice sets like this with the detangling and gloss charms. Mama bought a lovely set for Honoria because she made such an awful fuss whenever the nursemaid combed her hair. Of course, the nursemaid said that the easiest thing would be to just cast a detangling spell, but Mama favours brushing. Says it's much better for the hair. And I think, really, she didn't want any of our nursemaids pointing their wands at her children's heads. Besides, a nice heavy silver brush gives a memorable smack when a child is simply too recalcitrant. Or a nursemaid.

#O-432. Bell. Elf-summons. Again, the one we have at home is distinctly Spanish. Moorish, actually. But we certainly have one. Do you not? I don't know whether Harrods sells many. The families that use them tend to pass them on, but I suppose when Orion and I move from home, we'll want one. We'll certainly take an elf or two with us. I hadn't given it any thought. I'll ask my father about it. Was there something you particularly wanted to know?

On a less than business note...
Rod - Good afternoon. I'm sorry I've made you wait so long for answers.

[alt_rodolphus]

We do have an elf bell. The one at Le'Strange Hill has always been there, near as I can tell, and here in New London we received one as a gift with the house. I have seen hairbrushes and hand-mirrors like this, too, in dressing rooms of well-bred and pureblood ladies.

I have yet to number the newest items received, but they are much the same as these latest. Another straight-razor and elf bell, other items one might find in my home, or yours.

But not the home of every witch or wizard. When Raz was quidditching most of his team-mates were astonished that he'd bother with a razor and not just use a shearing charm. And as you mention, one need not use a hairbrush to detangle their hair, not so long as they have a wand. Ordinary as they might be to you and I, these are considered items of luxury to those of lower class.

Do you see where I'm going with this?

Please don't apologise. It was impolite of me to trouble you on your Sunday.

[alt_lana]

Oh.

Oh, I see.

We might be wrong in supposing that they were practising curse application on random items.

But.

That puts everything in a new light if they meant these items to wind up in pureblood homes. Wealthy pureblood homes. Where such items are commonplace.

As well as servants to use them or assist in their use.

That multiplies the possibilities rather.

We should recheck each of those items to be sure we've caught all they're hiding.

If that straight razor were cursed to

Ugh.

[alt_rodolphus]

Yes. In retrospect, these items are quite costly; they wouldn't be used for mere practice.

If you think this logic sound, I will be writing up theorised use as such: Given that these items (will number individually) are quality goods that are most usually found in the homes of the pureblood gentry, it is speculated that they were meant to be planted in the homes of such pureblooded, put to use by domestic servants, or otherwise left where the pureblood target would mistake the item as one they already owned and were comfortable using. Upon using said item, the target would sustain a devastating and possibly fatal curse.

- Or something along those lines.

[alt_lana]

Yes. I agree.

And thank you for including me in the full process, allowing me to work through the evidence myself. You didn't have to, but I've learned so much from you in this short span. Only it's going so quickly. I've what, three weeks left?

[alt_rodolphus]

I'm glad that you feel you've learned from the process.

Three weeks it is. Though there's still much to do in that time. Do something with that comb, for one.