Out of the school

[alt_mcgonagall]

I am at the club in London.

It is quite odd to be out of the school. It has been some time. I should have thought to be grateful for the break - the students have been more than a handful, with the extreme measures to stop the spread of the plague. However, I'm finding it rather boring. Having completed my various tasks, I am alone, and the library leaves something to be desired. I recall now why I use the club so relatively little.

Comments

[alt_lucius]

Perhaps if we claim there is much to review in the journals he'll take his leave.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I doubt it. He hasn't the sense.

At least Mulciber is here now. I do wish they'd speak to each other and not me. Rowle drives me round the twist with his tics.

[alt_lucius]

Hm. Change the subject? Rowle detests children. Have I shown you the artwork Draco has been producing? It's really quite good.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Excellent.

Once we have waxed poetic, I shall bring up some of the charity cases. Miss Perks is really an ornament to Slytherin House.

[alt_lucius]

Mm. I confess I should be happier were she and Pansy not so friendly with the younger Weasley boy. While the eldest son, Bill, is by all accounts diligent, there can be no doubt he is somewhat mixed up in the Archer affair. Of the father there is some evidence that he is altogether soft on his mudblood charges. The middle son - the one currently a prefect - he shows some promise. But overall, the family are a great disappointment, esspecially considering their stock.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Marvolo and Perks get along well enough, however; and I do believe that she is a leveling influence on Sextus, whose main fault (apart from his family) is his intense Gryffindor nature. And that, you shall note, comes from a Gryffindor herself. He is quite a handful.

I have not spoken with Primus since he left Hogwarts. I should be sorry to hear that he were mixed up in anything untoward. He was an excellent student.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed; one almost forgets at times that you came through Gryffindor. Level influence. Perhaps. But it is precisely the type who needs a steadying influence who is likely to drag his companions down with him.

It's unclear at present whether the Weasley lad's involvement extends to anything like culpability. Archer seems to have burnt any scraps of evidence. The leters to the neice are inconclusive as well. Bella is livid she can't bring the investigation to a swift and decisive close. If it weren't so vital to our pursuit of Black, would be amusing. Rather like - when I was courting Narcissa, I used to take up the side of whichever team were playing against Kenmare, just to watch Cygnus Black pour steam out of his ears. Bella gets the same look when she's stymied. If she weren't half so dangerous it'd be hilarious.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Bella was always a horor. She would kill things in Transfiguration classes for fun. Then we'd be out a doormouse in the next class. I don't know how she contrived to do it.

In any case, I can't allow you to impune the good honour of my house. There are many respectable Gryffindors.

[alt_lucius]

Name three.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Don't take that tone with me, young man!

[alt_lucius]

Hah!

Because you can't, can you?

Don't even think of citing Bowman Wright or some other historicle historical hero.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I do believe you're getting a bit squiffy, Lucius.

[alt_lucius]

Glass houses, Minerva.

It's been a bitch of a week, I admit.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Quite.

The students are howling blody murder over the owls. And the parents are worse. Haven't they realised that their children won't explode without them?

[alt_lucius]

I think that's part of what caused Narcissa's over-reaction yesternight. It's unfortunate that Draco could not visit over the Christmas hols.

Nonthless, you're quite right: In her saner moments, she knows - as I'm sure do most parents - that we have raised our son to be independent and self-sufficient.

It was odd to see him so put out for so long, after the mixup at Christmas.

Oh. Wanted to ask you about Ptolemy. He's adjusting to his sudden change of status? Ari hoped it wouldn't go to his head, being named prefect mid-term.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Hasn't gone to his head. He's frightned of it I think, which is only appropriate.

[alt_mcgonagall]

As a non sequetur, what ever has happened to Narcisa?

[alt_lucius]

Oh, she's heartily embarrassed. Apparently she broke out in a bad case of hives. Fletcher says it was brought on by nervous tension and a measure of hypochondria (since she was at hospital visiting her niece when Coote was brought in).

She refuses to allow me back in to the Manor until her skin has cleared. I ask you!

I suppose it's my just desserts for marrying the most beautiful witch in England, but there are times I find it's simply best not to examine her mind too closely.

I think it's time to turn in.