I've been out at one of the more troublesome camps all day but seeing this, I checked with Hooper and indeed, there are a parliament of owls awaiting my attention - though he had the rare wherewithal to open the Howler.

Judging from Narcissa's reaction to this affair, at least what I could make out around her laughter last evening, our young friend did, indeed, send roses. The colour was an unfortunate misunderstanding. Barty, she said she was sending a book. Have you found it useful?

More to the point, have you undertaken to make sure Our Lord has paid less mind to the chatterings of adolescents than their parents? Like Dominic, I am sure He will give the incident no credence but - in light of His decision regarding your petition to wed Ms Drumgoole, He may welcome your personal explanation before any nonsense reaches Him.

Bella, too, may wish recompense since this story has taken the fire out of the Floo, it seems, from the Fwooper campaign.