Jul. 11th, 2014

alt_antonin: (resolute)
I am minded of a phrase of which an old bokor teacher of mine in New Orleans is inordinately fond: when you are up to your ass in alligators, it is easy to forget you came there to drain the swamp.

In service toward our varying swamp-draining efforts:

- Has there been any signs CM has taken the bait, or should we prod him? It is not that I am growing impatient, merely that we cannot move forward against him until he has been of use. And while revenge is a dish best served cold, if one allows it to chill too far, one's observers do have the most dreadfully difficult time in connecting the dots.

- TN is simmering nicely. After a few days' respite I stepped out briefly from supper with Auri on Wednesday to leave a grave-wreath on his doorstep; when I returned last night, he had stepped up his warding on the house, which I quite enjoyed breaking. (I decided simply breaking the wards would suffice for last night's taunt. Perhaps next time I will break all but the easiest.) He may come to make a report today: I was ostentatious enough in the breaking (and careful enough to mask my signature) that he may think it was a failed breakin attempt. The coins I have flipped say to give him peace today and tomorrow, but if you've any ideas for Sunday's little present, do let me know.

- No progress to report on unraveling whether the rot at Hogwarts goes deeper than Minerva and Snape. I will be dropping in unannounced for "casual chats" with the staff on their holidays as I've time, though, which ought give me a bit more information. At least the castle itself seems content with my leadership -- or that is how I am interpreting her eagerness to be of use. (I must apologise posthumously to Minerva for every time I gently mocked her conviction the castle has a personality. It's rather uncanny how different it is, being Head.)

- How goes your training with Hydra?

I am planning on spending today playing with Our Lord's toys. Assuming they do not eat me, I've let Narcissa know she should choose the menu for supper tonight, and we will dine en famille. Unless you are otherwise occupied, we will expect you around seven or so. I am afraid it must otherwise be an early night.