Private message to Rodolphus Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy

[alt_rabastan]

Sorry I missed Saturday's festivities, but decided it was best not to leave, even if for an hour or two. Harry was asking me about Snape and if he wrote the latest Grim Nonsense using his housemate's journal. Seemed to put him in a bit of a mard - he always seems to think he's at fault for these happenings, somehow - so I decided it would be best to spend the weekend at the castle with him.

Oh, and I told Harry nothing was official on whether or not Snape wrote the thing, but I'm not sure I did a good job of convincing him. Have to admit I nearly laughed out loud when I read it. Not that the situation isn't serious, mind, but it certainly did bring back the memories. Neither of you two old sods probably realised, being years ahead of him, but Snape was always trying to top everyone with his inventive "work-arounds" for spells, charms, potions, and what-all. He would even contradict professors on their methods and propose to have the more effective way of getting the job done. His swottiness made him near universally loathed, I'll have you know, and the fact that his advice to mudbloods was near-opposite of what the other grim post said...well, it was just so very, very Snape.

I'm sure you lot have figured that out by now, though. Any theories on what the blazes he's up to? Certainly he must have a massive vendetta against all that the Protectorate stands for, but it's bloody difficult to imagine Snape willingly taking up the mantle of Sirius Black.

Comments

[alt_rodolphus]

From what Bella's said, MLE are considering the possibility that he's either working with the Dogstar group, or is attempting to make contact with them. Whether he truly believes in the resistance or not, I think he knows they're the only people who might potentially harbour him, especially if he looks as if he's making some effort to trod in the traitor's footsteps.

Someone, somewhere down the line must have taught him a lesson about overstepping his bounds, though; he was always quite careful in my presence (reckon it could've been cos Bells was there).

[alt_rabastan]

I was nursing the same notions...or very similar ones, at least.

Oh, but I bet it irks him to lower himself to Black's antics. Now you see why I laughed.

[alt_rodolphus]

You must be short on entertainment there, if that's all it takes to make you laugh.

Perhaps you ought to reunite with your friend Professor Acton? If only for the evening?

[alt_rabastan]

Get lost, you. I believe she's cavorting with Dawlish these days, or trying to.

I have another - decidedly more discrete - lady friend now, anyway.

[alt_rodolphus]

You must be paying her very well.

Back to Snape, though. You know that MLE's been trying to work out how to handle the Grim Truths, especially now that they're rampant, and Severus has only demonstrated to us how useful they might be in spreading around mis-matched and misleading information. Since the Grim Truths cannot be stopped, then they must be made to work for us, rather than against.

[alt_rabastan]

Well done! Got to squeeze in that one last insult before you change the subject, pillock.

What's MLE got in mind, then?

[alt_rodolphus]

Early days, brother. Bella's meeting with Travers and few others on Wednesday, though. More after that.

[alt_lucius]

Quite.

I've long told the Prophet that its rebuttals are useless.

Excellent strategy. Confusing them should not be difficult and seeding the journals with information gives the camp personnel specific behaviours to track.

[alt_rodolphus]

I for one am looking forward to hearing about the untrained, barely-literate mudbloods' attempts to use wandless magic.

Should make for some mild amusement over breakfast.

[alt_lucius]

Yes, but how can one tell the difference between a mudblood trying to perform magic and one merely trying to think?

Perhaps his proximity to the cesspit.

[alt_rodolphus]

One's dead, the other not. Yet.

Full disclosure: Bella came up with that one.

[alt_lucius]

Indeed.

The answer I had in mind was decidedly more scatological. But no less accurate.

[alt_lucius]

I vaguely recall incidents when his cock-sure attitude made him the victim of multiple attacks. Also recall Black and Potter going out of their way to corner him on more than one occasion. Made Prefects' meetings exciting, of course.

In point of fact, it's good to see someone independently corroborate the analysts' opinions. I thought the hand looked familiar and it stood to reason it might be one of our fugitives - though of course, one doesn't like to leap to an assumption. Still, as soon as Bella mentioned it, I did remember his notes for the Lord Protector on that old fool Dumbledore.

As to the purpose of his treatise - well, Bella may have better theories at this point. I admit I have been

preoccupied with

other - wait a moment -

[alt_lucius]

Yes. As I was saying, I've had other pressing matters requiring my attention and have thus far left the question in Bella's team's capable hands.

[alt_rabastan]

If you're that preoccupied you can write later, you know. When your hands are less "full."

[alt_lucius]

No, it's fine.

It's simply that this nonsense continues to stir up the rabble. But if Snape is trying to ingratiate himself to the DogStar Company ....

Razzer, I should tell you Barty was injured earlier to-day. DogStar, of course. Narcissa's at St Mungo's but I've not heard his condition from her.

[alt_rabastan]

Is it serious?

Sod, you just said you haven't heard. I can read, I swear.

I suppose he's throwing himself into his work, though. More than usual, even.

[alt_lucius]

It was serious enough to send Norah Crouch into hysterics - and serious enough, apparently, that Narcissa had no expectation of leaving St Mungo's to-night.

She has been expecting something of this nature, however, one must say. As you rightly observe, he has little else to distract him - perhaps your discreet companion could suggest someone suitable to ... help him recuperate?

[alt_rabastan]

I'll watch the journals for more news, then. Not much I can do from here - not until morning, at least. Maybe this will remind him to ease up. One can hope.

I'm on my way to see her now. I'll make an inquiry...later.