Araminta Meliflua

( [Warded Private] )

( [Warded Private] )

[Warded to Society Ladies]

As you all know, my husband and son were both afflicted with this dreadful disease that has now thankfully been cured. I have decided, in gratitude for the excellent care they received from the healers, mediwitches and wizards and nurses at St Mungos, to hold a fundraising ball for the benefit of St Mungos.

I believe the 15th of October would be an ideal date to give me enough time to prepare. I am intending to have it be a Masquerade Ball and to allow any employees of St Mungos to attend for free to ensure that none of the churlish amongst us have cause to complain. If any of you would be willing to assist me, I would be most grateful.

[/Ward]

[Warded Private]

I have been to visit Augustus and Janus. It was

I cannot lose them. I cannot! Augustus and I are supposed to have many years together. He is not meant to be stolen from me by something like this! If he is, I will never be able to forgive those responsible. I do not care about politics in this matter. He is my husband. Janus is my son. They are purebloods from some of the finest families. They are not useless, disgusting Mudbloods or Muggles whom no one would miss.

It is not right.

[/Ward]

[Warded to married Society ladies]

I cannot bear it. I have tried to be strong as is my duty as a matriarch but after visiting my dearest Augustus and Janus yesterday, I can no longer bear it. I am at my wit's end. I can barely concentrate and I beg of you, as those who can most understand how I feel, to find something to distract me from the terrible thoughts that are racing around my mind.

[Ward]

( [Warded Private] )

Where are my husband, my son and my daughter and why can I not return to my home?

What in the name of Merlin is happening?

Julia? Junia? Where are you?

( [Warded Private] )

[Warded Private - Ward failed due to the V word]
[Crossouts done after realisation that ward has failed]

One wonders what deranged desperation prompts the Black boy to continually seek such attention in the most grotesque and flamboyant manner. I daresay whatever it is he is so desperate for could only truly be found down in the filth in which he now wallows. He is in the best place if that is the case and really ought to keep his depraved attentions to those who wallow alongside him. I do sometimes wonder if better discipline would have altered the outcome with the boy though I suppose that simply cannot be the case. One only needs to look at dear Regulus and see what a fine and dignified young man he has become to realise that there is simply something deficient in the other boy. It happens sometimes, even in the best of bloodlines. There appears one now and then who just needs to be put down in order to salvage the rest of the lineage.

I must say I am quite pleased that the Quidditch has been forced to be not quite as pervasive as it has been of late. Irrespective of the merits or otherwise of anything else he does, I do feel inclined to thank Lord Voldemort for doing that much for the general peace and quiet of the wizarding world. While I can appreciate the game in some small way, it does seem to attract the worst kind of louts and uncouth loudmouths. I've never quite seen anything pleasant or attractive about riding a broom. Aethonans and other winged horses are far more majestic and dignified and far more fitting for the well-bred witch or wizard.

[/Ward]

[Warded to Purist Society]

How dreadfully sad to see another pure bloodline sullied with dirty blood. Could the Potter boy not find a decent wife? Is he so defective that he actually thinks a Mudblood is suitable for marrying? Might as well marry the family crup and be done with it! Merlin help any children they produce. They will be little more than mongrels.

[/Ward]

I have been enjoying the summer months. Our garden is a positive riot of colour and perfume from the flowers and I have not been able to resist spending as much time as possible enjoying both. Even the fanged geraniums seem to be enjoying themselves. They've hardly snapped at anyone this week!

Sadly all too soon the winter shall return but even the colder months have their enjoyments. There is surely nothing better than coming after a day in the snow to a roaring fire and nice mug of mulled wine.

[Warded to Purist Society]

The last couple of days have been most distressing! I cannot thank my dear brother Claudius enough for being so kind as to take in my husband, my daughter and I when we were forced to flee for our lives when the giants attacked the other night. Our home was thankfully undamaged and we have been able to return but I fear that another such attack will occur once my son returns home. I cannot have my children be placed at such risk.

I raised the issue of moving to a solely magical area or at least to a country estate so that we may be safer after the earlier attacks but my husband has, until now, always insisted that we are safe enough in Tinworth. The attack the other night has him thinking again. Neither of us truly wish to leave our home. It has been in the Meliflua family for many generations but if the giants have become attracted to Muggles as the recent attacks seem to indicate then it would only be prudent to remove ourselves from their vicinity. It would, of course, be infinitely preferable to remove the Muggles from Tinworth and make the village truly magical. We have so few truly safe villages and I see nothing wrong with repeating the success of Hogsmeade here in Tinworth.

In light of the upheavals my family has gone through in the last few days, hearing the news in Diagon Alley this morning that Minister Stalk apparently discarded a Muggle woman in order to curry the favour of the established traditional families seems almost laughable. That he took up with a Muggle woman in the first place surely shows his poor character more than anything else and discarding her like an old rag, while clearly the appropriate course of action, shows a certain indecisiveness of character that reflects poorly upon him. A decent man would stand by his convictions, even if they are distasteful to others.

[/Ward]

( [Warded Private] )

I sincerely hope the rumours I heard yesterday in Hogsmeade about an identity card are false. While it would not be at all difficult to carry such a thing, I can't see what use it will be other than to potentially inconvenience honest citizens and shopkeepers. It's not as if the cards will list 'vigilante' on them under any occupation heading and I daresay anyone indulging in illegal activities will leave their card at home.

[Warded to Society Ladies]

Well, at least the child now has half a chance of avoiding being a complete savage when she grows up. Not that I think the unhealthy influences of her heritage (or lack thereof!) will be able to be completely overcome, even though she is so young. Still, at least she now has a chance and that can only be a good thing.

[/Ward]

I spent a few minutes this morning perusing the attempt of the illegal vigilante group to justify their existence and their flouting of the law. I quite agree with the estimable Ms Skeeter in that it was clearly written by someone who considers themselves far above the common man and woman. It was quite the political statement and written as such. An obvious desperate attempt to layer a veneer of self-righteous blandishment over their illegal activities. Whether or not you agree with Lord Voldemort's manifesto, one can at least say that his was written in a plain-speaking, clear and concise manner. As a scholar myself, I can say that conveying your message clearly and concisely is far more effective than using political double-speak.

I confess that on the whole I found it yawningly trite and cliché, the sort of thing you see from young and inexperienced scholars attempting to find their voice before they go on to more sophisticated and thoughtful writing, until I saw the sheer overweening arrogance contained in the statement "We do not seek to subvert the power of the Ministry, only supplement it..." Tell me, vigilantes, were you asked to 'supplement' the good work of the Ministry? I think not. Once again, we see that you simply think you know better than anyone else. Well, you do not. I am sure I am not alone in saying that we do not want you to 'supplement' the power of the Ministry. The Ministry does extremely well on its own. Without you. You are merely criminals attempting to justify your illegal actions and interfering in the good work done by the DMLE.

Frankly, I fear for my life more at the hands of the vigilantes than I do at the hands of the Death Eaters. I am not one myself nor do I know who they are however I know that as someone who respects, honours, protects and cherishes the magical heritage of our community, I am relatively safe from the Death Eaters. I am not so sanguine about my safety from the depredations of the vigilantes.

[Warded to Junia]

Junia, our home was searched! Who is this Minister that he authorises this sort of thing? Your father is an important and respected member of the Wizengamot and this is how we are treated? Have they harassed you and Tzipporah? Your father intends to make his displeasure known to the Wizengamot and he will want to know.

[/Ward]

[Warded to Society Ladies]

I have never been so offended in my life! My home was searched last night. Apparently they were after that wretched quill though I have no idea why they would think that we would have it. I do hope none of you were so appalling treated as we were.

[/Ward]


It seems standards are slipping within the Ministry. How terribly sad.

[Warded to Purist Society]

I thoroughly recommend that everyone do their best to ignore Sirius Black's pathetic attempt at attention seeking. He is only looking to cause trouble in much the same way a recalcitrant child does - by throwing things at the adults until he gets his bottom spanked. Let he and his friends have their little bit of crassness and crudity. They do seem to revel in it so very much and letting them do so only proves our point that they lack the basic civility required by any decent member of society. We do far better by ignoring him and denying him what he wants. Let the children play in their mudpit. We have work to pursue and better things to be doing than to be indulging a child throwing a temper tantrum.

[/Ward]

[Warded to Lottie]

Happy birthday, Lottie dear. Are you free sometime this week? I thought I might take you out to lunch to celebrate.

[/Ward]

( [Warded Private] )

Let me be the first to congratulate Vivianne Avery on the marvellous charity ball she held last evening for the benefit of the magical libraries of London. It was a grand success and it was so utterly delightful to hear the children give readings of their favourite stories. There is no greater gift a parent can give a child than the love of books and reading.

Like many other of my fellow parents, I am most concerned about what has happened at Hogwarts. While it is true that the majority of the students were not there, having thankfully returned to the safety and security of their families, that does not absolve Headmaster Dumbledore of his responsibilities. Time and time again we have been assured that Hogwarts is the safest place in Britain and that no one will ever come to harm while inside the gates. I think we can now see the falsity in those claims and I, for one, would like to know what is to be done!

While I understand that the Headmaster is undoubtedly busy in the aftermath of the debacle that has occurred, one would think that he would make the time to speak publicly about what he intends to do to ensure the safety of the students when (indeed if!) they return. That he hasn't makes me think that he does not care. Not about the students and not about his staff. While I am sure that is not the case, that is the impression he is nonetheless projecting. This, in conjunction with his silence on the matter of allowing a dangerous creature to attend a school where innocent children were left defenceless against and unknowing of the monster in their midst, makes me wonder whether Professor Dumbledore is paying attention to the matters he should be concentrating on or whether he is allowing himself to be distracted by issues that are not within the purview of a Headmaster.

These recent incidents have led to my husband and I having grave reservations about allowing our son to return to Hogwarts. Reservations that are only growing with Headmaster Dumbledore's continuing silence. I, for one, intend to make my grievances known to the Board of Governors and I would strongly recommend that every other parent do the same.

It has been brought to my attention that there is a scurrilous and imbecilic rumour being passed around that I have taken the funds raised at the Charity Ball and am using them to purchase a dragon. I had intended to treat this rumour with the contempt it deserved but my dear husband has advised me to issue a public statement.

Thus I will state for the public record that this rumour is entirely false. Every single knut donated at the ball went to the Society and you may check with the other members of the Board for the veracity of that. If this rumour continues I will not hesitate to instigate legal action against those propagating it.

[Warded Private]

That being said it is a most intriguing idea. Perhaps I should look into it and see how feasible it might be. I could quite picture myself as a modern age Boadicea, swooping down on filthy Muggles to dispose of them in a glorious burst of flame.

[/Ward]

[Warded to Purist Society]

I do believe that the stress of being Minister has caused Flint to take leave of his senses! First his opposition to the Muggleborn Child Act then his support for bill favouring Muggleborns and now this. Censuring an employee unfairly (for I know my daughter and her work has never been sub-par) and in public. Propositioning a married woman, also in public. Not to mention his rudeness. He has surely gone quite mad! He is certainly unfit for office!

[/Ward]

Oh my goodness. I was going to take the time to thank those who attended the charity ball last night but I fear I have been utterly distracted by the sudden knowledge that my darling daughter was placed at great risk while at school. I sent her to Hogwarts in the expectation that she would be safe and now I find that not only has she been exposed to a werewolf while at school but she was forced to share a common room and a House with one! What in Merlin's name was Dumbledore thinking of, allowing a dangerous creature into a school! I shall be writing to the Board of Governors forthwith! Surely this is a sign that this once great man has slipped in his dotage if he thinks such a thing is even remotely acceptable!

However since I mustn't be churlish, I would like to thank those who attended the Charity Ball last night. A great deal of money was raised for the Society and it shall all be put to excellent use.