Private message to Lucius Malfoy and Antonin Dolohov

[alt_selwyn]

Just wanted to share the latest from our favourite Hogwarts staff member: Dolores wants access to the private messages, if you please. She started by asking to be able to read all student private messages at any time; when that was not forthcoming she started saying she should be able to apply to the Ministry to have them transcribed; when THAT proved not forthcoming she suggested that all student messages to other students should be available to her.

She went on at some length about how my office had failed to catch the Fleet woman's sedition, and it was Dolores's personal investigations that had uncovered that particular traitor.

She's not going to get what she wants. I've instructed my clerk to simply turn her down flat with each new attempt. She can continue to demand students read their private messages out loud to her, if she truly has so much leisure time in her position as Headmistress that she can think of no better entertainment than hearing eleven-year-olds write to their mummies about homesickness. My office does not jump at her bidding.

Comments

[alt_antonin]

I cannot begin to fathom how she manages to stick her nose into so many spots. Wait, no, I do know: she parcels out the doing of the actual work to whomever she can flatter into taking it on, while she sits on her overstuffed pink arse and waits like a spider for the accolades to come pouring in.

I am thankful for your determination to be one mountain she will not conquer. Do keep me posted of her further attempts? There might be something useful to be gained from knowing her patterns.

In service,
T

[alt_selwyn]

Oh yes, I should have mentioned that she was planning on parceling out the reading of private messages to her favoured students. Because THAT was sure to go well.

[alt_selwyn]

And I would say that her primary pattern is the insistence that she has both a need and a right to know about everything that takes place within Hogwarts' walls, right down to a detailed inventory of the contents of the owl pellets.

[alt_lucius]

Dominic, she may catalogue the owl pellets all she likes. In fact, recommend you immediately inform her that it would be of the utmost usefulness were she to provide Cornelius with a weekly report on the matter. As well as a summary of the operational efficiency of the cisterns and plumbing in the castle, the composition and amount of sewage being deposited in the lake and of course, any unusual droppings found in the Forest which might indicate the encroachment of the centaurs or other fauna onto the lawns and grounds.

[alt_selwyn]

That's an excellent idea. Clearly, the ordinary responsibilities of a Headmistress are not serving to keep her occupied and out of mischief.

[alt_lucius]

This goes to prove the unfortunate after-effects of removing her as Minister without neutralising her completely - a mistake I do not intend we make again.

Is there anything so pathetic as one who will grasp for any measure of her former importance? (Particularly considering that even her former 'importance' was inflated.)

Have been playing host to Raz and Aurora this after-noon, by the way. Believe Aurora finds our more ... philosophical ... attitude to the delay of their nuptials to be preferable to her own family's (one understands) somewhat fraught reactions. Razzer and I have had some unproductive discussion regarding mitigating the pink whale's allegations. Suspect that access to his primary accuser may be the necessary step.

[alt_antonin]

It occurs to me: the pink puffskein has taken quite the interest in the Calderwood girl, and has repeatedly pressed me to take a hand in her reintegration into Hogwarts. The girl has been fairly diligent in taking advantage of the extra time I have offered my NEWTs, and I do not think she would find it suspicious if I arranged for more one-on-one tutelage. And of course, given the nature of matters, it would be imprudent of me not to arrange chaperonage: the presence of one of our esteemed Board of Governors and my own sworn brother during that appointment could certainly not be questioned, could it?

Pity we can't just call Bella in to go fishing, but Bella's methods are unlikely to leave the girl unharmed enough to be handled with a spot of Obliviation afterward.

If the idea suits, let me know when is convenient for you and I will arrange for it.

Your,
T

[alt_selwyn]

I'll arrange some time. I don't suppose any of Bella' proteges might have a more delicate hand with certain skills?

[alt_lucius]

Help me, Toshenka: Which Calderwood girl? There always seem to be more of the creatures. The family are nearly as prolific as the Bobolises.

Suppose it matters not which one, if she has a hand in what's become of our Razzer. Given that accusations against one male staff member might find their way to taint another one, you are absolutely sensible to arrange a chaperone; however, it pains me to point out that other males may not assuage the situation which, to outsiders, you are attempting to circumscribe.

In that sense, Bella makes a good candidate if her mere presence shall not be believed overkill. Believe we may be able to convince her that subtlety is the more desirable approach in this case.

Should that fail, believe that Narcissa would be willing to accompany us as a female witness.

[alt_antonin]

Cassandra. The one who was sent down for a year due to an inappropriate fixation. Dolores would have it that Raz took up with the girl despite that, which -- even if Raz were to take it into his head to be unfaithful to Aurora, which I sincerely doubt -- would be criminally stupid, one descriptor one cannot use for even the days when Raz did most of his thinking with his other head. Dolores seems entirely too smug, however, for her evidence to rest on the girl's word alone.

I will sound Bella out about the prospect, although her presence in my office would be slightly more of a warning shot across the bow.

Barring that, yes, you and Narcissa. Dominic: I do not know of any of Bella's ducklings with a talent for the mind arts, but I will enquire.

Your,
T