Bellatrix Lestrange

Advance warning:

Tonight, I will be writing to my sister and her husband in advance of official news. Wright and her team have finished up at the school, and I've been passing my eyes over final reports from Quartermayne, Gibbon, Pugh, and Revanche.

By tomorrow morning, MLE will pull an arrest warrant for Draco. He'll be a wanted fugitive, not a kidnap victim, though I do plan to reassure my sister that MLE will perhaps grant a full pardon in exchange for surrender under veritaserum.

One wonders how a child raised in such an ideologically pure home could be led so tragically astray.

I've seen it before - up close, even. But times were different then. Muggles and mudbloods crowding in on all sides, impossible to escape.

Even by serving us, as our Lord deems right and proper, they can still reach us. Should He feel compelled to exterminate them from our haven, once and for all, I would gladly squash the vermin from His sight.

Now. I anticipate that Lucius and Narcissa will respond with a level of denial and outrage that can only harm their already precarious position. We do not want that further weakened. Be prepared to assist them in keeping their heads.

As harvest grows nearer, it seems an appropriate time to look forward - in gratitude - to the coming bounty.

Our fields have had time ripen and flower in the sun. In His light, our pastures grow greener and more verdant still. Meanwhile, the world peaks in through the gates, eyes wide to all our marvels. Soon, we shall invite them to cut a waltz in the meadows, to drink from the pure fountains of our visionary cities, and to feel, if only for a moment, that golden touch of light.

Please, join me and grasp their hands in welcome.

This has been a trying time for all the good people of the Protectorate, but my own feelings are with my family right now, who have been through a trying time but - as always - come through the dark with their dignity and strength, as it will always be.

While I wish I could reply to all correspondance personally, please refer to all my public statements for my stance on the World Cup attack, the related investigation, and, of course, the "reapperance" of Sirius Black.

MLE has seen more than our share of photographs that claim to show Sirius Black alive, and all were carefully studied by experts and determined false. It's a pity that the Prophet is so easily fooled and apparently lacks any sort of investigative skills, even more the pity that they should fail during a time when our people are so ill at ease. On the journals, we have endured enough individuals claiming to be Sirius Black to no longer trust a single one. It is all too regretful that his journal was never found on his body, and that someone was able to recover it and act out a most insidious ruse.

As has already been stated, MLE does not currently feel there is enough evidence to warrant launching further investigation into the impossibility of traitor Black's return.

Rest assured that were he actually alive, we would have figured it out a long, long time ago.

This will be my final word on the matter.

Today's observation and sparring session was effective, I think, if, as ever, somewhat of a let-down. I remember my own training programme all too well, of course. It took place in the real world, with no instruction beyond what we were willing to teach ourselves and each other, and what we took from the bounty of His teachings. There was no relief from our battle at the end of the day - no celebrations, no "awesome" music, no dancing with ghostly rock-stars. Indeed, there was no end to the day at all. We were fighting for pride and for purity, against an entire system that was bent on protecting muggles first, and wizards last. That we were able to topple it only shows how corrupt and malignant that system was, rotting from within like a stunted tree. To strike it down all of us would have gladly died - gladly! - and to be sure, some did. Those who survived were prepared to protect what we had helped Him to create, and we have done so ever since.

Sometimes, I wonder if a quaint little programme can really teach any of that. Perhaps something far more brutal is in order...something where survival is at stake. Not just your own, but the survival of everything and everyone you hold dear.

I am not sure that the current crop of hopefuls would last in such an environs. Certainly not McLaggen, who is certain to wash out within the coming weeks. Willet shows a shred of promise, if only because he is so very desperate to escape a fate at the Prophet. Desperation certainly helps, though not for very long.

What does not help is a history of having sought out and won my approval. Not unless you have the skill and savvy to show for it. When I attach my name to someone, say a certain Head Girl with aspirations of being an Auror, then I have, in essence, allowed that individual to function as an extension of myself. Any and all extensions of me are enjoying the privilege of my association, and with that privilege comes responsibility. Let me be direct: if you're one of mine, you go above and beyond the call. Anything less is unacceptable. And if my association to you becomes tarnished...then I will remove it, as forcibly as I see fit.

But I'm sure that we all understand that now, don't we?

Professor Sinistra, I've sent you an Owl this morning and I do hope that it has arrived in due course. It mostly includes detailed plans for the project, as well as a copy of the recommendation I penned for you following my observation of your class. Two others that I know of have been recommended for the position as well, but the fact that it is I who am recommending you should put you in good favour, I think. Please look the materials over and do not hesitate to Owl in return if you have any questions.

Along with that business, I've got to meet with Hoppykirk about the changes to the training programme, get her siggy all over everything before passing it on. Harkiss and Dawlish are feeling quite nervous, I believe. As they should be, a pair of lumps like that.

My Lord has asked to be left alone this week. Time spent with the new pet project, no doubt. I only wish to be of service on that count, but if it is solitude He desires, He shall have it. Praise.



Ah, Cissy... we did the charm last week. It's a boy.

Yes, for all of you reading along: I'm pregnant. Almost into the third trimester. All looks safe and well this time, and Hydra is beside herself at the thought of having a brother. A son! I'll have to begin thinking of suitable names right away.

It is fortunate that the season has blessed Him with good cheer, for I do not think that He would ordinarily allow an investigation like this to stagnate for so long. Happily, I made new ground earlier this week. All thanks to a goblin named Griphand or Hookgrip or somesuch, and a collection of blades meant to be worn like a set of claws, known simply as the Cat Gauntlets. A Belgravia townhome for one Mr. and Mrs. Greaves was got in exchange - more than they could hope for, given that they're childless and nearly old.

Hookgrip was cooperative enough, though in a decidedly goblinish way. True Owner indeed! Goblins do have their quaint ideas about ownership. Perhaps I do as well. I shall ask my Lord in our next vis-à-vis, and show him my new Cat Gauntlets while I am there.

I have other news to tell Him, and while it preys on me with urgency the Lord has requested that He be disturbed as little as possible in the coming days. His reaction to Hookgrip's revelation was very mild, so I cannot imagine that reports on my personal life should rate an interruption. I do not know what He is working on, alone in His palace, but if it is important enough for Him to forget my bir seclude himself during this festive time of year, then it must be very important.

Still, He shall be at Cissy's party. I think I will visit her today to assist her in the planning. Perhaps Hydra would like to come along. She does so love to play with Draco's toys when he's not there to stop her.

Goblins can be so damnably stubborn.




I aim to work delicately, then. Lord knows we do not want another Goblin rebellion on our hands. Of course, there are ways the goblins can be courted. And their weaknesses are of their own making.

A break-in is no a minor affair when no living Witch or Wizard can even recall the last time one took place. This cannot be allowed to become a trend. Especially not now, with word that the culprits may have been the ones to wreak havoc at Cherwell camp last night, and that the wayward Sirius once-Black was the likely mastermind.

Thankfully, all there is well in hand now. Praise our Lord Protector.

A quill in the hand... how odd it feels after years of neglect. I dare say the wand remains mightier.

Harry, dearest, your Father has told me of your recent coup on the quidditch pitch. It comes as no surprise that your marvellous talents continue to manifest under the close, watchful guidance of our Lord Protector. You are truly blessed to be first in all His thoughts and actions. Never doubt your place by His side. I didn't, and my life has all the more purpose for it.