Private Message to D Selwyn and L Malfoy

[alt_crouch_jr]

L. What has Rookwood been able to tell you about Strangeweale's worming his way into the department?

I've heard nothing, but not knowing who's in S's pocket = limiting. Bloody Mysteries. You're sure Rookwood's sound?

D. Have they given you anything recent on Octoboros? Silence on that front here, unless Yaxley's being briefed.

If he is, he's not sharing.

Comments

[alt_selwyn]

I haven't been briefed on it, either.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Wonder if that means there's nothing to report. Or means someone's keeping us both out of the chain. Bella's heard nothing, either.

[alt_selwyn]

I'm inclined to suspect the latter.

Do you think you might persuade Toshenka to enquire? He might have strings to pull in the Department of Mysteries that I lack.

[alt_lucius]

Barty,

Have begun to reply at least three times since yester-day and been pulled into something else each time.

One of the occasions was a summons to Court for an extremely quiet, intimate ceremony in which the Pennifolds Ned and Lana were given Our Lord's Mark. Had you known? Note you were not in attendance at all but assume He would not have made such a move without your sponsorship. Had only been speaking to them - cannot at present recall when but recently, within the last month - of beginning their petition process. Not that there was any doubt about their suitability, understand, but if you were not aware before its occurrence, hope it shall not adversely affect your working relationship with either.

In any event, back to your questions: Am only aware peripherally of Project O's progress. The prototype that was compromised forced a complete re-production of eight more devices (there was something in the last quarter's financial report for DoM, to the effect that one alone will not work without the other seven and if any of the eight are damaged or ineffective, none will function properly). Poor design when what passes for redundancy is in fact a greater factor of failure but - not my decision, in this case. However, as to the progress itself, have only the request for additional funds, coupled with a half-brained explanation of why the original materials may not be re-used to make the new anchors.

Yaxley may know more but if he is being briefed, he is choosing to remain infuriatingly silent on the matter. May invite him to run the course at Elysian later this week, see if that loosens his tongue.

As far as Rookwood, he insists he knows of no Unspeakable who is engaged in private sector research. Do not doubt his loyalty nor his willingness to confide in me if he did know anything. His memory, however, appears to have begun to decline. Were it not for his renowned will and advanced age, one might suspect tampering.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Rookwood's not in control of his dept, then. Dammit. Want to know what Strangeweale's meddling in. With whom. And whether it's more than dabbling.

Re. Pennifolds. No. Rather, yes, did know they were petitioning. Did not know about the Marking.


That's four then. With v little preparation and almost no notice.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Sorry. Wanted to see what L would say first.

Will see what Toshenka can learn. Inconvenient that he's stuck in Scotland. We need him here.