Private message to Lucius Malfoy

[alt_selwyn]

I received an owl today from Igor regarding the spring tour for our visitors. Apparently there's been at least one request from someone who wishes to visit a muggle camp; he's wondering if I can arrange something 'suitable.'

You're rather more in touch with this lot than I am. Just how likely do you think he is to press on this? It's going to be quite a lot of work, putting a proper show together, just for a handful of curious school children. (Or, well, curious international quidditch stars, as the case may be -- if it hadn't been Krum who asked I'm not sure Igor would have said anything more than 'no, don't be absurd.')

Comments

[alt_lucius]

Igor? Press?

You're correct that it's most likely Krum has bent his ear, as not sure what else could have shifted him. Frankly, however, am astonished Krum has any true interest - nor indeed, any true understanding of what he's really asking. Rather makes one wonder what he expects to find.

Has International Co-Operation given any thought to the British national, by the way? Didn't Helpmann or one of those others have some scheme in which the boy defects?

[alt_selwyn]

I have no idea what he expects to find! Igor seems to think he wants ideas on how to properly contain muggles. If that's actually the case, I think we could tell him to come back once he's rounded up the muggles of Eastern Europe and we'll discuss it.

Re the British national -- I don't think anything's been decided, but I haven't discussed it with Helpmann recently.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed.

Well, suppose the best thing is to assemble something worth seeing, particularly if they mean to report home (which, one presumes, was one of the goals in bringing the Tournament to the Protectorate in the first place).

Yes, expect Yaxley has been keeping you quite distracted from other matters? Unsure about his new man. Vladimir, is it?

[alt_selwyn]

Mm.

Yes. Apparently our cleaning staff has been encouraged to assess our loyalties. Never thought I'd see the day when I had to defend myself to the bin-emptier.

Not that I have anything I'd be called on to defend, unless it's been put there by someone else. And therein, of course, is the problem.

[alt_lucius]

Told Yaxley as much, that all this new initiative would foment was false accusations and airing of grievance. You heard that they've already investigated 143 claims, of which only three have proved to have any truth?

He seems oddly impressed with this fellow, however. Convinced there are leaks within MLE and elsewhere, leading to DogStar, perhaps Black, other collaborators as well. Thinks that he requires 'an outside hand' to ferret them out and that this Vladimir chap is the one to do the job. Rather too unctuous for my taste - something like Igor back in his greener days.

Oh, meant to ask you: Have you anything to do with Burdett-Coutts' plan to organise a duelling competition in the arena during the Faire? Had no idea he meant to present the notion at Court; now Our Lord has hold of the idea and seems equally enamoured with it. Has He approached you to identify likely participants, by chance? Asking because it seems to me that He has been relying rather too much of late on the likes of Maule and Fulton. Know you are not regular at Buckingham but thought He may have sent instruction.

[alt_selwyn]

A hundred and forty three?

Well, I'm glad they're at least investigating them thoroughly, but what an unbelievable waste of time for everyone concerned.

Re the duelling competition -- the Frost Faire has really been the furthest thing from my mind. I don't know who put that into Burdett-Coutt's mind, but it certainly wasn't me.

As far as participants go -- I was given to know that Our Lord would be pleased should I find a few individuals eager to prove themselves. I say 'given to know,' though, because no one told me this directly -- certainly not Our Lord. It was all hints and frankly I'm not entirely certain whether it's coming from Him, or from people eager to persuade me that His will and theirs are closely aligned. I've given it some thought, naturally, but I've been hoping for at least a bit more clarity about whose wishes I'm serving.

I live to serve Our Lord, of course. But not Maule. Or Fulton.

[alt_lucius]

That's the number I was told, yes. A few of them represented legitimate complaints, understand, but only three of any real interest.

It's something to do with a recreation of the Gladiatorial games. In point of fact, Narcissa knows rather more Burdett-Coutts' mind than I (and that it remain thus suits me, I daresay). But yes. Our Lord does mean to have them duel for the pleasure of onlookers and as I understand it, He means to duel the victor personally.

As for motives and service, there we are agreed. Completely.

Perhaps you and Chloe ought to come to supper this week, so we can speak further? One does prefer to know whose agenda is in favour at present - and whose might be next to capture attention.

[alt_selwyn]

Supper. Indeed. I think that's an excellent idea.