Entry

[alt_rodolphus]

- Quite the rabble. First curious news is that of Amycus Carrow's arrest. News is incomplete on my end, since the Missus has been indisposed of late - on missions of which I dare not breathe a word - but if I am understanding, the thought here is that Carrow went so far as to render his own mudblood, and others', as completely un-usable? I do find that logic hard to follow. Say what you will, but the man has dedicated much time to discovering an array of uses for that end of the populace.

- Head Girl Sandoval: I have completed my analysis of Item #702, also known as your earrings. With Owls back in the air I will have the official report off soon, but as it's very official indeed, allow me to translate by telling you here that your earrings were adorned by a male who injested polyjuice potion in order to transform himself into a female: into you, specifically. I shall leave it to you to speculate on who would want to do such a thing, and why. The earrings are now perfectly safe to wear, however, and very pretty baubles they are.

- Duckie, you should have got an Owl by now. Make sure that the surprise I tucked into the envelope lasts a few days, but know that there's more where that came from. As soon as we're allowed to send parcels you'll get a load of sweets to rival that of the hamper your Auntie Narcissa sends to Draco. That way, he won't have to worry about you nicking all the nicest things to satisfy your sugar tooth.

- Boys still get up to as much trouble as ever, I see. Is this what I have to look forward to when my youngest is near to thirteen? I suppose so. Best to have a stiff drink now.

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

You'll find much depends on the company your son will decide to keep.

It's such a relief that Hydra is so rarely a worry.

[alt_rodolphus]

She's good at keeping company with herself, having been an only child for so many years. But I'm beginning to think that she doesn't miss her Father one little bit; yet then I imagine the castle and chums and schoolwork are more exciting by leagues.

[alt_narcissa]

I'm sure that's not at all true and she misses you terribly.

Our Hydra is simply very stoic.

How is my nephew, then? Still an angel? Or as he nears the one-year mark has he finally discovered that crying can be a tool for his benefit?

[alt_lana]

Thank you very much for taking time with such a minor case as mine. The results, I confess, are a bit disturbing. I've really no idea what to make of the notion of someone's having transformed himself into me. Let alone that it should have been a boy (or, oh)--

I know your time is valuable, and I'm very grateful for your help.

Lana

[alt_rodolphus]

Being Head Girl does have privileges one might want access to, but then why not transform into your male counterpart, instead?

But I shouldn't carry down this road of thought; if you are half the aspiring Auror I think you'll be, I'm sure you'll ascertain the truth, one way or another.

[alt_lana]

Yes. That's the sticking point. I suppose that of the two obvious explanations, it's most likely that there was some particular advantage to be gained by impersonating me rather than Moran. I've had time now to combine your evidence with my recollections of the night I was assaulted, and the circumstances suggest a hypothesis or two.

Certainly, I feel considerably closer to the truth of the matter than I did before.

[alt_lucius]

One hardly knows. I confess I was in the midst of composing a precis of the week-end's events, but learning of this latest escapade of young Marvolo's, an episode into which he insisted on dragging both Draco and Miss Parkinson, has sent me to other tasks, until I can learn more from the Headmistress regarding the details. I trust her ability to mete suitable punishment, but what concerns me is that they seem not to learn from one year to the next how to avoid putting themselves in the thick of danger - particularly when, in this case, it seems wholly pointless that they should do so.

As for Carrow, there has been mounting evidence that the man is unhinged. We believe the rumours of the Chamber and the attack on his own mudblood to have been early attempts on his part to direct suspicion elsewhere. But as the incidents have progressed, it has seemed more clear that his petty obsession with vengeance - while leading on the one hand to admittedly valuable research - has prompted him to disrupt the school's routine through these nonsensical acts. Of course, his precise reasons will not be known until the MLE extract procure his confession.

But for the moment, there should be no reason why any student at Hogwarts ought to feel compelled to disregard professors and prefects to dash out of bounds in a misguided attempt at playing detective.

[alt_rodolphus]

He always did have a flair for experimentation, of a kind. Perhaps this is tied in with that particular predilection. With impulses like that, he should be better suited to some position of import at the camps, I would think. Thought naturally, it's not for me to say. Which is why it is good that I only write.

Sounds as if you could use a stiff drink, too.

[alt_lucius]

I will not deny that his skills are of benefit to young minds, and that for this reason he has maintained his position for years with no real cause for complaint. However, I do believe his natural disposition has caused incremental damage to his ability to maintain suitably professional conduct. It is, I believe, something that has grown more noticeable in recent months. But I have long maintained that the camps or pure research are where he would have prospered; it may yet be that he will be commuted to such a position, if Our Lord wills it.

And yes: An occasion for fortification, if ever I have seen one.