Private Message to Raz

I've a favor to ask you, old friend. Do you have time over lunch or after classes to stop by and give my space (and me) a quick going-over to rule out the possibility of curse influence on my latest health disaster?

I would not usually ask -- I've checked already myself, and my protections on my space -- and my person -- are paranoid enough I do not believe something could get by without noticing -- but it is indisputable that I did not start worsening again until our return to Hogwarts, though likely coincidence. And Barty, bless him, is fussing at me, and it would ease his mind.

If you don't have the time (it is, after all, Thursday) do not worry -- I've no doubt Barty will be storming the castle on Saturday under cover of Quidditch to pick apart every inch of my environment.

Private Message to Barty and Lucius

Before you come across the children fretting and likewise fret at me: I am feeling poorly, and plagued by a host of new and interesting symptoms, but I am under the Matron's most diligent care. (Before one of you suggest St M's rather than Matron: I do not wish to make accusations, but at this point I am more confident that Madam Pomfrey will have her patient's best interests in mind; it is nothing concrete and nothing I can make a complaint over, but the more I think about it, the more I realise my team at St M's is showing more interest in research possibility than patient improvement. At very least I will be confirming their advice with her from now on.)

I am most vexed: I was not expecting the rite's restorative effects to last much longer, but this is a rather more dramatic reversal than I had been expecting. So much so that I spent lunchtime yesterday checking self and environment for curses that might have made it past my protections. (Verdict: nothing. I suppose it would have been too easy an answer.)

I am eating, sleeping, resting, and minimising my effort expended, and with luck this will just be a temporary setback; I will keep you both posted. (And please do reassure Narcissa!)

Meanwhile: Lyoushka, Dolores is growing more insufferable, and behaving as though she is utterly convinced of her mandate to stick her nose into everything --mandate from whom, I remain uncertain. Remind me to show you the list of "helpful" questions she sent me after observing my classes last week. (And the response I wrote her, which was -- if I do say so myself -- a masterwork of subtle insult wreathed in effusive flattery.) I still do not know what her game is, and I am keeping an eye on her, but you may wish to do so as well.

Barty -- solnyshko, I have not forgot your birthday next week. How would you like to celebrate?