Private message to Barty Crouch, Jr

[alt_bellatrix]

As the subject did not come under discussion directly last night, I write here to say that your dedication to your pursuits under the service of our Lord is a credit to you. Do not let the heaps of flowers, the pearl-clutching, and the weepy letters to the Prophet allow you to doubt that.

Also. Good to have you back.

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

Was never gone.

Confess that examining the body was disturbing. It's undoubtedly mine. Can't fault any of you for mistaking that.

However. Cannot understand why no one dug further into Selwyn's account: clearly 'my' behaviour upon Apparating was anomalous. Did you really think I'd be taken in so humiliating a way? Wand not drawn?

[alt_bellatrix]

You were arriving at a club where your friends are known to gather and welcome you with open arms. It is typically considered ill-mannered and hyper-vigilant to arrive on such a scene with wand drawn out in preparation for unfriendly fire.

Certainly the sort of thing I'm known to do, however. And now you, too.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I never Apparate anywhere without being prepared for surprise at the other end.

Would expect nothing less of you.

[alt_bellatrix]

Ah, even in the face of my very dead body?

[alt_crouch_jr]

If it were your body and the wand not drawn, I'd certainly question the eyewitness more thoroughly. Did no one ask Selwyn to drop that memory in a Pensieve?

Clearly I need to sharpen my reputation.

I'll take it as a performance incentive.

[alt_bellatrix]

Our first priority was to set our sights on the assassin, and not to idle over Selwyn's trauma.

But yes, I think that's the best way to take it.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Since when were hugs and kisses customary reception at Ouroboros?

[alt_bellatrix]

They never seem to have any for me. You can't imagine how I mourn.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Have briefed Forney re. Maule as none of us can take lead on that.
 
 
Must say it was more amusing to watch Him play with Rowle and Hewett last winter than to be battle stag of the moment myself.
Have no intention of losing this fight to Maule.

Nor of allowing this to descend into a battle royal amongst us. We will prove worthy of His continued trust. And remove the upstart in the bargain.

[alt_bellatrix]

We will at that.

Beneath your steadiness, I imagine that you are at least a wee bit excited.

Our kind always does enjoy a challenge.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Quite.

Did you see Maule's expression when I entered? Would have made the whole mess worthwhile. If he hadn't been sitting at Our Lord's elbow at the time, whispering in his ear.

Mordred.

No. I'm not going to challenge him directly. I'll stick to our agreement. But I've no intention of swallowing the insult. Sebastian Maule will beg me to finish him before this is over.

[alt_bellatrix]

Our Lord knows you absolute.

And you know as well as I do that devotion is not demonstrated through talk alone.

And certainly not through botched, half-done actions.

So stoke the fires of reprisal, so long as they do not threaten to burn away your vision of that which matters most.

[alt_crouch_jr]

No. Indeed.

The worst of this business is that I've more important things to attend to.

Proving that it's mother, lying down there in the morgue shouldn't be a priority, and yet aspects of it are crucial. If she was able to get hold of polyjuice, who else has it? And how could we not know?

We know exactly how Destin gets his for Pseudonymity, and we know there's no leakage there. Suppose I could recheck that point if necessary. Will have Parker go back over the audits. Will have him redo all the internal PJP accounting, as well.

[alt_bellatrix]

All questions solved in due time - let us hope.

"More important things to attend to." That feeling I do know well. I do so often occasionally wish that I had the sort of freedom to pursue deep cover assignments myself.