VIII

[alt_bellatrix]

Nottingham has some truly spectacular architecture, it must be said. Looking at the heavily gothic style, I'd say it bears the mark of Waterhouse, which means that it's Wizard-done. Even better. There's a fair-sized community of half-bloods up here, most of them employed at Bobbin's main factory. Quite a few of the less established ones have flats at the Clifton estate. It's a pretty piece of land, with the Trent River running alongside. The escaped mudbloods must've followed the river all the way from Derby - quite an extraordinary trot by anyone's standards. The fact that Dawlish and Harkiss were searching the river from the east and yet somehow managed to miss them is also extraordinary. Stunningly so.

At the Clifton estate, a young couple by the name of Dames witnessed the elderly Wilbur Thompson admitting the escaped teenagers into his flat. By the time we got there, Thompson was having a grand old time showing the mudbloods how to use his wand to conjure up coloured handkerchiefs and bits of lint from a hat. It was quite reassuring to see how comfortable he was amongst the mudbloods, seeing as he'll be one from now on.

Lance and Carla Dames will generously rewarded, of course, for displaying their loyalty to the Lord and His Protectorate.

I'll be having a chat with Hopkirk this week about running the older Aurors through a more rigorous training programme. The difference between a Dawlish and a Yaxley, or a Harkiss and a Barty, grows more and more troublesome. In any case, I will have her know that tasks will no longer be delegated by seniority, but by my own preferences. I would have liked to have seen the mudbloods try to slip by any of the other Aurors and live to tell the tale. Even me. Though in my case it is high time that I remove myself from active engagements. I can't say I'm entirely happy about it, but His decision is, of course, for the best. I certainly don't want what happened to Yaxley and Marks to happen to me - not now.

Comments

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[alt_arthur]

Ah, no.

Bloody hell.

[alt_lucius]

Narcissa will certainly sleep more easily knowing that you are not exerting yourself overmuch or enduring field conditions anymore.

I myself am grateful that you are now free to attend Our Lord at Buckingham; really it was wonderful last night to be able to sleep at home - first time in perhaps six days. Not that accommodations at the palace are anything less than comfortable, but the curative effects of one's customary bed do marvels for the constitution.

However, since we did not have much chance to speak last night, I understand that the situation there is deteriorating - faster than Our Lord likes. I shall be there shortly and we may determine a remedial course of action - though short of giving the subject time to ... reflect, I confess I am not certain what could be done.

[alt_bellatrix]

It is deteriorating, and quickly. Our Lord has asked to be left alone while He considers His options, and meanwhile, we're tending to the other as best we can. Dead men tell no tales.