Bellatrix Lestrange

The mudblood's confessed to stealing the wand from Buckingham, was learning magic all on her own, apparently. So she says.

Now, whether Draco has a hand in this or not remains to be seen. Let me speak with him. I'll convince him that if he confesses to having been seduced by the mudblood, and at least "entertained" ideas about teaching her magic, that we will sort this out amongst ourselves. He'll believe me.

I'll give you the mudblood. I'm done with her.

Let my daughter watch - she still has much to learn.

Miss Sandoval,

I cannot find a single damn reliable owl at the moment (Hopkirk, please alert the necessary parties that several of these bloody owls are overdue for retirement), so forgive me for passing along a message in so public a manner. Public scrutiny is part and parcel of working for any branch of the Ministry, however, and there is no time like the present to acclimate oneself to the public eye, hmm?

Cruciatus is, of course, a highly useful tool in an Auror's arsenal, and we are expected to perform it with mastery and control. Always remember, though, that the usefulness of the spell isn't found in the pain it causes so much as the fear it inspires. People will often say anything to avoid enduring it, and what they say may not necessarily be true, but simply what they think will spare them the pain.

Another drawback is that cruciatus causes no visible injury, which may prompt the spell-caster to go to far, not realising that the receiver is being damaged beyond repair. I was an avid user of cruciatus early in my career, but for various reasons have since moved on to more creative interrogation methods. A good Auror never relies on one thing too much. Leave that to the local constabularies.

I must congratulate you for showing yourself to have the grit necessary to pursue the path. After our few short weeks together I did wonder if you were suited to it; you had the intellect and composure, yes, but I thought it possible you were soft. You'll notice that very few women have achieved success in this career. Indeed, it is a career that even men may find physically and mentally challenging. An Auror must see everyone as a potential enemy and traitor. They must always be on guard, and they must always be willing and ready to strike. There is no room for hesitation, introspection, or mercy.

To cut oneself off from compassion is a difficult thing, particularly for women. Once you have done it, it will change how people view you forever. In time you may learn to hold a few people close without fear that it will weaken your effectiveness on the job, but even that will require a balancing act that is nearly exhausting. Still, you must make it look effortless. Anything less and you will soften like butter before their eyes. And because you are a woman, their eyes will always be on you, searching out for any signs of the collapse that is so often seen in those of our sex.

Yes, even other women will be watching out for your weaknesses. Perhaps even more than men.

I see the small ones are already chattering about the incident in a most vocal manner. They are watching you now, to see what you will do next. As am I. As are others. The aftermath of an encounter is often the most crucial, after all. I remain interested in seeing where you go from here.

Yours,
Bellatrix Lestrange