(no subject)

[alt_narcissa]

Revati, the more I think about it, the fonder I am of the pintucks. I think we ought to consider more along the same line. I do love the bell sleeve but they can hinder, especially if one is stirring a cauldron or reaching over one's crucible. Perhaps if the bell could be tied back? I'm reminded of the Japanese style of holding kimono sleeves, perhaps something like that. It's something to consider, at any rate. The shoes are a marvel - again. I can't wait to see them in prototype.

My week has been nothing but relaxing, though I must say I am looking forward to having my menfolk back at home again. And to Athena's performance tomorrow; I'm sure she'll be perfection, as always. She's hinted a great deal about this particular production. I expect we shall not be disappointed.

At least the Daughters of the Protectorate event is nearly over and done. I am especially pleased that Miss VanSomeren passed muster this time; it was so disappointing last year to have to decline her application last-minute. Diana, I wonder if you would care to meet me at Witch Weekly tomorrow morning; we could double-check the count for the event, now that the VanSomerens are coming as well. I believe it's now up to 12 at the head table and 30 tables, which ought to be fine but may require additional centerpieces. It's ridiculous, isn't it?

I'd suggest lunch itself, but if I'm to be presentable for the Montagu and Tosca in the evening, I simply can't take a long lunch in the afternoon.

Comments

[alt_crouch_jr]

Narcissa.

I learned this afternoon there's another lead being followed on the possibility of an heir. Perhaps by the time your schedule clears enough for a proper briefing, we'll know something more certain. For someone who seems not to have had a proper snog before he left school, he certainly seems to have learned a hawk from a handsaw afterwards! Holcomb says he's interviewed dozens of women claiming to have had relations of one sort or another with him--and fully half of them have presented credible information.

It's Belby singing Tosca, then? Good. There was so much talk about that coloratura who sang the Queen of Night in Die Zauberflöte last year--what was her name?--but I found her completely unbearable. I've agreed to escort Mother tomorrow, and she's promised to attend the DoP event at my urging. She agrees she ought to make more of an effort to be out and about.

[alt_narcissa]

You've mentioned before his penchant to make up for lost time with vulgarity. It's not surprising we might be years tracking down every possible lead.

Do you mean Hewett? Yes, I thought her strident as well, often not quite on pitch. Still, she's young - she may yet mellow a bit. But I think you'll be pleased: Athena has hinted that they've completely re-envisioned the period. And I'm glad to know your mother will be there both tomorrow and at the DoP. It'll give me a chance to ask about the WI. You know, I never did hear back from her about whether she'd entertain nomination again or no.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I know it's frustrating not to have access to the house. I can assure you, at least, that Carpenter and Holcomb understand that their own investigation depends on a thorough examination of all the traitor's connections. I've read transcripts of the interviews, and I'm satisfied they are proceeding with due diligence.

I'll have a word with Mother about the Witches Institute. I think you'll find her amenable.

[alt_lucius]

Barty, given the statistical probabilities, it's understandable to focus on the elder scion, but has there been any thought to an investigation into his brother's past? After all, there are eleven years unaccounted. His most recent ... relationship ... excepted, it's not outside the realm of possibility.

Perhaps Mafalda might consider sending someone to ... wherever he crawled off to for all those years. Wasn't it Belfast? (Dear me. Enforced exile to Ireland would be one thing, but self-imposed? I still don't fathom the business. But then, he always did have a tendency toward melodrama.)

At any rate, I cannot imagine he would have been as indiscriminate as his brother, so if you do decide to rule it out, it ought not to occupy your team nearly as long as tracking down all the possible leads the other has left behind.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I tried pinning Regulus down on those matters myself more than once, and you're quite right that his history was more with witches than otherwise.

I will speak with Mafalda about the matter, but you understand it's the traitor's network that is of on-going concern to the department. Frankly, I've a feeling she'll suggest a private investigation into the questions regarding Regulus's past. As you know, the official investigation into his whereabouts during those years was quashed early on, and while it's my understanding that there has been no actual instruction from Buckingham to direct efforts away from that aspect of the current case, there has also not been any encouragement.

[alt_narcissa]

It's true that his imbroglio with Ganymede was more the aberration than the rule, but I cannot think he would have been either so careless or so insensitive as to entangle a witch in such a situation and then return with no word, no sign that he had left a family behind. There's the possibility he didn't know, of course, but that too sounds much more like his brother than Regulus himself.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I agree.

I do also take Lucius's point, however: if the investigation is to be thorough--and credible--it's necessary to follow all leads and consider all plausible explanations.

[alt_lucius]

Naturally, from the perspective of the Protectorate's security, I would expect no less. Though it must be said that it is unclear now whether Regulus' whereabouts during that period indicate any additional tendency toward treason, or contact with his brother, in which case an inquiry would be highly germane to the current case.

In terms of the mystery of Grimmauld Place, however, it may be that we are directing efforts toward finding a by-blow of the wrong branch. For example, has Mafalda considered that had he been under his brother's influence or even his spell, then members of Black's organisation may well have been controlling his associations and movements? It's conceivable, if remote, that the hypothetical child might have a surviving parent who may tell us any number of things about the elder Black, or his minions, if that were the case. Moreover, if the two had been in closer proximity than any of us suspected, then a further investigation into Regulus would therefore reveal vital information as to Black's own whereabouts - or possibly that of the Longbottoms, as well. Indeed, now that I think on it, who is to say that the announcement your agents recovered was not in itself a ruse, or an encoded method to inform Black of the birth of his own son (or nephew)? There are any number of ways in which the two investigations may be related.

Regarding Buckingham's position on looking into his past, as a matter of course, I cannot be certain, but to my knowledge, it was not intended to obscure his whereabouts or activities, but merely to provide him the opportunity to return of his own volition and supply an explanation for his absence. Undoubtedly, Our Lord's will on the matter would need to be clarified before proceeding, regardless of the jurisdiction. It is a question I could undertake to answer if we determine it necessary.

If a private investigation were to be enjoined, and yield the negative, I trust MLE would appreciate confirmation that your efforts to locate any other progeny are the only remaining avenue. Nonetheless, I think MLE would be wise not to abdicate its duty and ability to sift through the evidence with greater speed and acumen than a private investigation could effect.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I don't disagree. Of course, I'm not in the position of determining what resources will be dedicated to various cases--or deciding when an MLE investigation will require (or qualify for) attention from our side of the service.

[alt_lucius]

Of course. And much as my wife may wish it otherwise, I should think the whole question a lower priority while there are still two fugitives on the loose.