Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_selwyn]

Lucius.

I just took a call from Stephen Rosier. It seems Hogwarts is in an uproar over an altercation you had with Alecto Carrow last night after the Governor's meeting.

Please tell me you did NOT in fact duel Miss Carrow in the corridors of Hogwarts with an audience of aghast students? That this is surely an outrageous and invented rumour invented by fevered imaginations of hysterical adolescents?

Comments

[alt_lucius]

Of all the days for this book to go missing! If you can believe it, Broome gathered it up along with all his stacks of scrolls and the log book for Court this afternoon. I've had Hooper going through the St James' house parchment by parchment and turning over every stone.

At any rate. Yes. After Minerva informed us that Carrow had drunk himself into a stupor and was thus incapacitated, I went to see Alecto to discuss with her the impropriety of her and her brother's actions of late. She must have anticipated my coming because she chose to ambush me instead. Luckily, I was close enough to the corner that I was able to use it for cover, breaking her eye contact and the Curse, and thus I was able to engage in a fair fight. I endeavoured of course to make it as quick as possible to subdue her and keep the duel from distressing the students - but at that moment, Aurora Sinistra and one of the Slytherin prefects came upon us.

I've spent most of the day controlling the damage that idiot witch and her demented brother have done, as well as preparing a full report to Our Lord, which I gave at Court. I've only just finished explaining my lack of communication to Narcissa - and I hope you can forgive me for telling her the story before picking up a quill to explain myself to you, or any of the others demanding answers.

I cannot say whether He will change His mind and come to see the overwhelming evidence that Carrow has become even more dangerous than ever. But I hope this is sufficient proof for you that neither of them belong at that school anymore.

It was one thing when we were first cleansing the place. But over time their presence has become more a liability than an asset.

[alt_selwyn]

Alecto Carrow ambushed you? Actually tried to curse you?

This sounds quite a bit more ... deranged than anything discussed at the meeting yesterday. Was she drunk? What in Circe's name possessed her to attack a fellow member of the Council?

[alt_lucius]

Tried?

Succeeded, Dominic. Cruciatus, in fact. Just for a moment, thank Merlin.

As I said, I can only make conjectures at this point. But I suspect she was acting preemptively in the expectation that her brother's threats had garnered my ... displeasure.

Not that she was wrong, mind. But her choice of battleground could have been much more discreet.

[alt_selwyn]

Well.

I have to admit, this shows that she truly can't be trusted. It's one thing for a teacher to have Cruciatus at her disposal when disciplining unruly students, but someone with such poor judgment and self-control can't be trusted not to do permanent damage. I've grown increasingly concerned about Amycus's mental state; Alecto seemed rather more reliable, but that was clearly an illusion.

Have you any thoughts on replacements? I assume you're in the process of suggesting to the Lord Protector that He might wish to dismiss both of them from Hogwarts. Do you know if He believes Dark Arts should be taught by a member of the Council? I'm not sure who would be interested if Alecto is given the sack. (Not to mention, who'd be interested AND have the time and lack of other obligations.)

[alt_lucius]

I've several thoughts, though it is of course not our decision, ultimately. For one thing, Gibbon might be spared. For another, we could simply and finally clear Muggle Studies and Defence from the curriculum and leave only Dark Arts - in which case, the Razzer might like to stay on. Or someone from MLE might be convinced to take a one-year appointment, though that would only postpone the problem of a permanent replacement.

As for Transfiguration, there is no shortage of qualified candidates.

[alt_selwyn]

Muggle Studies does seem quite the anachronism these days. Defence as well, though to a lesser extent. It sounds as though the Razzer's done an excellent job this year. Perhaps if they ARE removed, we might consider combining Dark Arts and Defense into a single subject, with the more advanced Dark Arts material left for after OWLs.

[alt_selwyn]

Although I'm not convinced Amycus should be punished for Alecto's actions. Reprimanded for meddling with young Marvolo's property, naturally, but that's a rather less serious offense.

[alt_lucius]

At this point, Dominic, I think you are the only Governor who disagrees about Amycus. Before coming home to-night I was summoned (!) to meet with old Peakes. I could tell from the way he was throwing about his weight that he finally thought he had a perfect excuse to see me off the Board.

It was almost worth my pain to see him change his tune when I told him what had transpired. As I reported at the meeting, Carrow had already admitted to harassing Miss Parkinson regarding her father's death, and knew that I wanted to speak to him about it. I suspect that it wasn't only learning that Professor Brutka had rescued some of Amycus' research subjects that led to his incapacitation Wednesday night. I daresay he wanted to avoid my reprimand.

The mere fact that he has now repeatedly allowed his alcohol dependence to interfere with his duties ought to make him ineligible to continue teaching. But when it comes to threatening those children who ought to be in the top ranks of their classes ....

Well. Let me put it to you thus, Dominic: How long is it before Arista starts school? Would you really trust her with the likes of Amycus Carrow?

[alt_selwyn]

Mm. That's a fair point. About Arista, I mean.

[alt_lucius]

Yes. And one I have tried to impress upon you in the past.