Ma cherie, I trust you are yet doing well? How many weeks have we yet before we will be able to meet our Theodore?


Laelia has spoken to me about having the Rosiers over and I told her that a small dinner between our two families would certainly be suitable. She and Tristan ought to have the chance to speak some together despite the unfortunate circumstances that has overshadowed this arrangement. I told her that she should work with you -- perhaps you might even give her the opportunity to make some of the decisions regarding the menu and settings? You always do so well that I know she would appreciate her guidance, but it would be lovely for her to have the opportunity to practice further before she is the mistress of her own household.

And if have you not already been in your study, do check your desk when you go in there.

I am meeting with our Lord tonight. As per our conversation earlier in the week, I shall be bringing some names to his attention.

I believe it is also worth noting that young Mr Black has taken it upon himself to cut off his engagement with Miss Lestrange. His reasoning is that he wishes to devote more of himself to th cause. As such, I have increased our training sessions. I am certain that eventually this information will become public -- until then, your discretion, gentlemen.

Always so self-righteous, aren't we? And yet, if they were not given the rights to use unforgivables, perhaps young Evan Rosier would still be among our number. His death, and the death of Caracatus, have been avenged, and yet the loss is still felt.

Tie their hands, Wizengamot: Tie them up in paperwork and bureaucracy and ineffectiveness.

We have no such limitations. We will win this war yet.

Congratulations, Regulus. Celeste Lestrange is a lovely and intelligent woman and it is an excellent match. However, I hope you will not allow yourself to be distracted from your work for the Dark Lord with wedding plans.

This coming week I would like for us to spend a bit more time on duelling. Thus, we will be doubling up during the week as well as during the weekend. Regulus and Persephone if I can see the two of you on Thursday. Rabastan and Lucius, on Tuesday. We will resume individual training the following week.

Questions?

Ma cherie, how are you feeling today? I trust that you would let me know if there was anything amiss, but I worry about you and our so child. I would like to take some wine in the study, but I could have the elves make you some cocoa if you would care to join me?

I have been working on a project with the permission of our Lord and believe it is time for us to all begin to discuss it in more detail.

In short, I have felt that the Outer Circle needs more direct guidance. While most whom have been in His service for longer are well prepared, there are still many who have been within his ranks only a year at most. My proposal to the Dark Lord was that those of us whom are among his inner circle would undertake the training and responsibility of those in the Outer Circle.

It would be our responsibility to keep our eyes on those whom are our Mentees. We would train specifically with them, look for weaknesses, and work to encourage more appropriate behaviour publicly when necessary. Although they would continue to answer to all of us, they would have the direct guidance of one of us in order to settle them and help them best learn to serve His will.

In preparation for this, I have begun working with names and considering how rightly to place these individuals in order to best facilitate their learning. For the moment, I have come up with some initial placements. I am of course, open to your suggestions or improvements. Naturally, all final decisions will be made by our Lord.

Will you ensure that Laelia has an appropriate costume regardless of what Mother may or may not have ordered? I am afraid Mother's expectations may be somewhat unlikely.

Also I have business Friday evening; you need not plan dinner for me.

For Friday:

The Lainsborough off Diagon Alley. 7pm. Give your name to the maitre'd. He will be expecting you.

Rabastan Lestrange.

It would actually be a marriage up, he has more maturity on him than Regulus and is a stronger servant to our Lord. I do not know why this is only now occurring to me.

What can you tell me about the DMLE's activities on the night of the Masquerade?

There are six of us. We must each be willing to take on the Outer Circle at this point in time. Each one of them should have an Inner Circle mentor that they are responsible to. In most cases these decisions are clear cut - the person who brought them into the fold is likely the person they would begin with, but there may be some cases where that is not the most beneficial to his plan.

I will begin with who has brought them in and then the Inner Circle will meet and we will make final selections. Hopefully by the end of the week we can announce the pairings to the Outer Circle.

I know I would like for any under my care to train thoroughly for the rest of the month if we are to be fighting at the Masquerade.

Are you free this coming Friday evening?