(no subject)

[alt_crouch_jr]

Narcissa.

Thank you for lunch. I haven't been to the Berkeley in ages. I meant to ask if they've hired a new chef: the food was excellent. Surpassed only by the company.

I'm sorry I had to run off and desert you at the Elysian afterwards. If it's any consolation, the meeting I was called away to was genuinely productive: it seems we have some real intelligence to follow for once.

But what about you? Did you find them in the end?

Comments

[alt_narcissa]

Well, if I must be left standing in the entry hall of the Elysian looking for a husband who is not there, at least it was in service to a breakthrough on your quest.

And I did eventually find him, but I can claim no credit for the stalk. It's not at all worthy of the hunt when the prey walks into the dining room for supper.

[alt_crouch_jr]

So he wasn't there at all?

I'm sorry it was a fool's errand, then.

[alt_narcissa]

Why, Barty, are you calling me a fool?

As he says, he was seizing a rare opportunity for solitude and secrecy. Given the mountain of manuscripts I have seen travelling from Crispin's desk to Lucius', I am almost not sorry at all. He too rarely gets to work on projects for the pure enjoyment of them.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Not at all, though I'll concede it was a poor choice of phrase.

I can well imagine that Lucius's diary and desktop are both overflowing with work to be completed. He's fortunate to have Crispin. I could do with one of those myself!

[alt_lucius]

Even Crispin still has his days when he is not his usual indispensable self.

Thankfully they are few and far between. Still.

You might consider Ned. He was interning at the Ministry through the end of last year and I do not believe he has settled on a permanent situation yet.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Oh, now there's a thought. Do you think he'd be interested in shifting to MLE?

[alt_lucius]

I know he was keen to get a taste of the department and somewhat disappointed when little of his work in Purity Control crossed into the MLE. It would be worth your time to inquire.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I'll ask after him tomorrow.

[alt_narcissa]

Indeed, I was thinking of Ned, too. After all, Lucius did have something of a breaking in period with Crispin (which was not at all pleasant! but luckily for us all he learned quickly).

Ned might even do for you and Bella, I think he could manage.

[alt_crouch_jr]

I don't see why I should share the windfall if he's as good a catch as you're suggesting!

[alt_narcissa]

I beg your pardon, Barty, dear. I remember Bella complaining some time ago that your jobs would be easier if you could each have a dedicated assistant, instead of having to share.

Perhaps Rufus has seen her point and you're now each allowed your own - I quite agree it's much more agreeable if that's the case.

[alt_crouch_jr]

It's all a matter of justifying one's expenses. And catching the right people at the right moments to gain approval.

Certainly galleons do not fall from the sky in any department, but there's no doubt that we could work more productively if we had sufficient administrative support.

[alt_lucius]

Entirely my fault; Ari cancelled yesterday and I forgot to tell Narcissa that I would not be taking tea there to-day.

In fact, with the Lord Protector in the North, I confess I took full advantage and escaped to relative anonymity in order to spend some much-needed time writing.

But there has been a lead, truly? That is encouraging. Particularly in light of your recent ... concerns ... I'm sure we will all find an end to a certain hunt quite a relief. On many fronts.

Narcissa tells me that you two spoke at length about your perspective on Regulus' status, and what he ought to do to improve it. I hope you had more success than I in convincing her to encourage him in the right direction.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Ah. Well, I hope your day was as productive as mine.

And, yes, we do seem to have had a breakthrough in that regard. Very promising.

It's Black who's impossible to convince. I have every reason to believe Narcissa when she says she's tried everything in her power to make something of him. In the end, of course, if he won't help himself, it may simply be beyond anything any of us can do.

Order Only

[alt_sirius]

What do you think you know, you reptile?