alt_sinistra | Private message to Poppy Pomfrey

If someone asks me why I’m writing, I’m going to tell them I asked you what the charm you like for blisters is. A couple of people brought new shoes this trip, and are rather feeling it this morning. (The Poole’s Jelly Gums are quite useful, too, thanks.)

But really, it’s more Stint. We’re in the Protector’s Collection this afternoon - nice to have a chance to see it before it fully opens and there’s crowds, really. I’m keeping an eye on my journal because of a conversation with Theo, so I ducked off into an alcove with a bench while they were getting the introductory lecture.

A few minutes ago, Stint came in to the room next to me. He’d been having quite the chat with Umbridge when I’d last seen him, but he came along with Harry, and was asking him all sorts of details about the plans for the rest of his holidays. Was he looking forward to the CCF weeks? He’d heard something about the Malfoy vacation, and was Harry going on that? Were there any other plans? All about the various clubs and organisations and who was going on which thing.

Harry handled him quite well, really, didn’t give much away and finally said that he had to get back to his duties. (To which Stint was all complimentary. Such a reliable young man, attentive to his obligations.)

I just wish I had any idea what he was about. Besides, presumably, making trouble for me, and for you. He’s clearly trying to get some sort of location info, especially after all that business about the maps and timing for the Hambleton day during the CCF programme, but I cannot manage to figure out what. Or why.

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Well, that's interesting. I'm glad to know where he's gone off to this afternoon. We were all expecting him to be here in our seminar this afternoon, ready to harass the poor souls assigned to give presentations. He's been horrible--especially to the youngest of the witches in the group, which I know will surprise you no end. Several of them have begun talking about giving up and breaking their contracts here. They just don't see that he'll allow them to enter the profession with their dignity intact. And I don't blame them a bit.

We're to have a drinks 'party' this evening, and lunch was nothing but whispers about hexes that could be useful if he or one of the others presses his advantage too far. And it's not just the witches who are feeling the ugliness of his power games.

But, I'm sorry. I'm rather missing the thread, aren't I? What's he up to with your lot? It must be something he finds important for him to leave the sport he's been enjoying here.

I don't need to tell you to keep your ears and eyes open, of course. Do you think, after all, you've enough to make having a word with Lucius Malfoy, a wise precaution? Or is there a chance he's somewhere behind whatever it is that Umbridge and Stint are engineering against you?

Glad to spare you all there, I guess. As to the witches - are you likely to get a chance to see Delilah Mytens? I don't think I'm speaking out of turn if I say she'd be willing to be of help there. Or my cousin Melantha, too, though she's less likely to see new trainees.

I honestly don't know. I've heard more than a few conversations of people wanting to make nice with Harry, assuming he's got influence. This wasn't like that, much more like he was fishing for something. But it was so wide-ranging, I'm not entirely sure what it was.

Raz and I have talked about going to someone - and yes, Lucius Malfoy, most likely. I don't think he's behind this: he was more supportive during the investigation hearing in March than I'd expected, and if he'd been behind whatever is going on now, I'd have thought it'd be the reverse. (And Narcissa's been encouraging enough that.. well. No. Don't think it's that.)

It's mostly a question of time. And presentation, really, because everything I do have seems very misty indeed when I put it down in any kind of order. There's certainly not enough to go to the MLE or anything like that.

I will make a point of stopping in for a word with Delilah Mytens. That's an excellent suggestion. Thank you for that.

Hm. I trust your instinct when you say he was doing more than mere opportunistic fishing for whatever advantage might happen to fall his way.

There's something more pointed about Stint these days. He seems to be fairly itching for opportunities to flex his muscle.

I find I'm missing seeing her this summer, rather a lot. Gilly too, of course, but both Delilah and Sigrun have really grown on me, and I really miss having a perspective outside my own obligations and circles. We managed to get together last week, but I won't see them again for an age, it feels like. (Maybe not till late August, in fact.)

And see, there's the thing. I've been feeling Stint's been fishing since that meeting in April, but when I actually try to explain why, I can't come up with anything concrete at all. Even Raz barely believes me. (I mean, he believes me because he believes me, but he also admits the thing I fear, which is that people will assume it's some sort of pettiness over the business in December.)

And he will keep showing up at YPL events, when there's no earthly reason for him to.

Aside from his being on the committee, you mean?

No. I do see what you mean, and also why it's so difficult to support what your instincts tell you. It's because he is on that committee and there's nothing to stop him showing up to any of the events or asking anomalous questions during the meetings or conferring with others (Madam U) who happen to be (other) thorns in your side. All can be explained quite away, and yet all add up to real reasons to suspect him.

What about Auror Wright? Could she be of help to you in this?

Exactly. And generally - well, except for him - the committee members don't usually show up for most things. Campanella if there's a particular security consideration, or one of the others if their area is especially involved. But there's nothing particularly needing an attending Healer in wandering around New London.

(Note that he's gotten out of the trips where he might actually have had to work, mind you, like January. Or the Dales trip this spring. Or most of the CCF weeks - he's still insisting he's busy with something incredibly important the middle week, when we could actually use another pair of trained hands.)

And you're right. It's like drops of rain, and yet, when you put out a bowl, the bowl fills. No single drop gets you wet, but together, they do add up.

As to Campanella, she agrees there's something odd, but she can't pin it down, and doesn't have leisure to look at the details. Now the Tri-Wizard Cup's over, I gather they've handed her some other projects, but she's been busy enough getting her feet under her there that I don't even know what she's working on. (And, of course, hate to ask her for more time if all I have is vague guesses.)

I trust you didn't really need my recommendation on blister cures: sticking plasters (Beerman's), Desuppurate, or any of the usual anti-friction charms.

Also socks.

I had figured as much (especially the socks.)

The excuse did come in handy: Madam Umbridge asked what I was writing about, and Stint was still within hearing distance, so I could say with a straight face what I'd asked. They're both gone now, thankfully.

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