I cannot allow myself too much hope. Five months is absolutely nothing compared to what we have endured before. But she is pregnant. And if she is pregnant, perhaps a son - Truly there is nothing I would not do to make it so. Unfortunately there is little I can do but allow time.

She must rest, and have the proper food, healers, potions - I must see that she is taken care of these next few months and that there is no activity that is too strenuous. We will not lose this child.

I know that Prisca and Tullia enjoyed the theatre tremendously. Thank you for arranging it.

How frequently are you having the healer come in? I want you to rest and keep your activity and chores to a minimum the next few weeks. I know there is the school project, but much of that you should be able to do from home. I want nothing to keep you or our child from health in the next few weeks. And you are to have anything the Healer recommends - do not worry about inconvenience or cost. I realise that this may count as a production, but I do not wish anything to happen to you ma cherie.

You are all expected to attend the Masquerade this evening. Our Lord desires to make an appearance there and we must be available to prepare his way.

Barty has kindly provided us with information about the security that the DMLE has set up, which has assisted us in our plans for the evening. The Minister of Magic taking the stage to announce costume winners will be your cue. Those of us in the Inner Circle will move towards the door of the ball first where we will prepare a place for us to change from our Masquerade costumes into our masks and robes.

Then we will seek out those in the DMLE so that the Dark Lord can make his entrance without difficulty. There will be a large number of civilians at this event, and unless you know the civilian is a mudblood with absolute certainty they are not to be targeted. Without knowing who is under the mask, it is difficult to know if they would be a pureblood or of the proper viewpoints and the Dark Lord does not wish any of magical blood to be harmed unnecessarily. If they attack you, it does not mean you can not fend them off, but do not kill them.

After the Dark Lord places the Dark Mark in the sky you will be free to leave.

Any questions?

I believe that covers the event as we have discussed it?

Lucius, you will be assisting me with Imperiusing the DMLE guards around the entrance so you should move towards the entrance at the same time as the Inner Circle. Isidore will follow with a disillusionment charm allowing us to prepare for our Lord's entrance.

Barty, if you have discovered any additional information regarding security that you believe might be useful for us to know, feel free to share it with everyone now.

Do we all know our costumes at this point? Lucia has not yet shared mine with me, but I will share that information as soon as I have it. I think it would be prudent if we know what we are dressed as.

When do I get to see you in your costume ma chérie? I am certain you will be lovely, and I confess that I am quite looking forward to seeing my own as well.