The priceless thoughts of Mr R.B. Lestrange

If your son runs to you sit on him. Don't let him leave don't take him to StM's. Don't let him out of your sight or it will all be far far worse.

This summer I'd like continue the group sessions whenever they can come by Spence. We've said it before but Spence is always open to you. Next time you stop by we'd like to set the wards to recognize you a bit more formally.

Your group is working really well together, much more quickly than I had expected. You pick a really good team. How closely had you been working together before we started?

How are you doing after the party? I'm sorry no one caught on earlier than they did.

There was a time that the runes around Wimbourne pitch failed. Instead of keeping their infamous seagulls out, they attracted them. The birds were just throwing themselves at us. Ugliest game I've ever played. I think the team elves just threw out all our kit and made us new ones. So we know that blokes don't always love it when birds throw themselves at us and when you don't want them it's ugly. Back in the day it happened to me more than I care to remember in my now advancing years. But I remember what it's like. If you want to talk about it, or get any suggestions from an old hand on how to handle it, you know where to find me. Any time. We'll go somewhere else or Rory'll clear out.


On a completely different broom, I'm sure you're on Harry's list. I know how close the three of you are so the offer I made to him is really for you and Hydra as well. If you want to talk about it, catch me whenever and we'll talk.

Discipline your property. That behaviour was entirely inappropriate, no matter the reason.

Find out who made that happen. Proof if possible. Get the exact wording of the “dare” if this is related to the contest, if not find out why. Because everyone is leaving tomorrow, I need your report as soon as possible, so I know who was responsible for that dangerous disruption.

How did yesterday evening's lesson go? Were there any problems? Do you think he got your message?

Don't know if you've noticed the new pins some of your seventh years had on. They're a sign they've been entered into a contest for Our Lord's favour, an invitation into the inner circle.

I knew nothing before this morning. Tosha knew nothing. Rod knew nothing and Hydra's been included. Lucius knew nothing before being summoned to Court to be informed that much of his clerk's time will be taken up being a liaison between the competion and Our Lord himself. Each student has a sponsor - all the ones I could suss out are the latest additions to our ranks.

They've been told it will be a difficult and potentially dangerous trial, but glorious. Love, you should know, they've tapped Draco, Hydra, Pansy, Katie Bell, your Linus. Katie's got to be a test of Harry, who is expected to be one of the somewhat secret judges.

We need to talk. Harry's already come to me to talk about trying to keep everyone safe.

He's a better man than me sometimes

Can you come down, or should I wait up?

Have to say I'm feeling like a million galleons compared to last week. Being able to teach again, be productive, makes a world of difference. And you know, now that I've had overnight to think on it, the newts aren't as poorly off as I had braced myself for. Cedric and Harry really did make a difference- so did the rest of the kids.

Still, we've a long ways to go in an extremely short amount of time.

How are you, love?

Much as we can't really trust that Dolly didn't leave behind any other nasty surprises to trip us up, I don't think we should let that keep us from moving forward. What are your thoughts?

What in merry fucking Erebus-

I've just been sacked. From teaching. By Fathead Dolores Umbridge. So has Minerva.

Not to mentioned accused of carrying on inappropriate relations with a student! And until the "matter is resolved," I can remain in the castle only as Harry's security, so long as I keep to "minimal student contact."

Why wasn't I warned? What the bloody crackers is going on?

All right, you lot. So far I'm impressed with how you've returned to school and immediately got back into the swift pace of things. You must not have had very much fun on your hols.

Pre-Owl level Duelling Club will resume on Tuesday. Same rules apply as last time- and I mean it.

Now I've heard some grumbling from various quarters about certain new rules and restrictions about the use of Private Messages in the journals, and I do have a couple things to say on the matter.

First, would it kill you to be friendly? Nothing wrong with saying Hi to the rest of the school, in addition to your nearest and dearest.

Second, I suppose I must be getting old, because all I can think about was how we didn't have this kind of magic when I was a student, and how hard we would have been to control if we had. Which is to say- it's understanding that there's a temptation to use the journals for private gossip and the like. One of the professors we had back in my day tried to keep us from passing notes in class, to no avail. Eventually, he started making us read the notes out loud when he caught us, but that only inspired us to start writing more notes, especially ones filled with unflattering things about him. Eventually he gave up and started ignore the note-passing and, funnily enough, it lost some of its appeal and we sent fewer notes.

Just before NEWTs, I asked that professor why he stopped concerning himself, and he said "I came to my senses and realised that all my attention on the matter was doing nothing more than making you far more effective note-passers. And a little more rude, besides."

A lesson there for all of us, I think.

Sorry love- meant to get to you sooner but by the time someone showed me a bed, I couldn't stand up any longer. Would have slept for near fifteen hours, if I'd had opportunity.

Awake now, feeling alright, all things considered. Managed to avoid any major injury to my person this time, which is a nice change from the usual. I'm expected to help with the last bits of business here, but it won't take much longer, I hope.

I love you. If you see them, let Harry, Draco, and Hydra know they'll see me soon.

-R