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Arthur, I dunno how recently you heard from Bill or if his, er, disagreement with Molly was the last time you spoke, but I wondered last night how you and he were getting on at finding premises for Laszlo.

I ask because I've been gathering intelligence on the family here in Dijon - the Muggle mother and wizard son. Well, I decided I'd learnt about as much as I could through observation, so a few days ago I marched up to the door bold as you please and rang the bell.

I spoke to the butler and then the governess before I was admitted to the mistress of the house. She wanted to know if I'd been sent from the French government; when I told her I was English, she seemed caught between fear and eagerness - afraid that I had come to bring them back and throw them in the camps, and eager to hear news of home. I quickly explained that I've lived abroad as long as she had, more or less, but she pressed me for information about Britain anyway. Of course, I answered her as best I could, but carefully.

I didn't want to make things worse upsetting her. I've seen her type, a lot. My cousin Narcissa comes to mind. That same sense of ... entitlement, the sort who's accustomed to having anything and everything she wants.

You can guess that she wasn't long asking me why I'd called. Poppy, I'm sure you can relate to the act of tearing off a bandage as quickly as possible so as not to draw out the agony.

Well, she took the news better than I expected. I think it's because I'd made it clear that wizards are more accepted back at home, but that I belonged to an organisation attempting to restore equality. (I know what you're all thinking, but I decided truth was the best course - if she'd done her nut on me, I could have Obliviated her without much trouble.) Frank, I showed her the 'Wanted' poster you sent me a while back, when the Grim Truth first stirred up a fuss. I think it convinced her I'm trustworthy. Luckily she doesn't know about Polyjuice; she stared for a long time at the moving portrait, comparing it to my face.

I thought that was more than enough to start with, so I told her I'd leave her and come back the next day. That's when I told her I meant to tutor her son in magic - at least enough to protect himself, I said, but of course we know that learning one thing leads to learning more. (Speaking of that, Poppy - what news of your Terry?)

Anyway, she introduced me to Justin - that's the boy's name - under the condition that I not tell him I'm a wizard. He's got a healthy fear of magic, apparently, something she herself likely fostered all these years. We got on well enough, though, and she consented to let me come back - under supervision - to commence the lad's lessons.

I called her attention to the watch that the French ministry have on the place since the incident. She was quick to pick up my meaning and, although she wasn't too happy about offering it, allowed me to stay in the house to avoid constant coming and going. Justin's a virtual shut-in, too, which doesn't sit too well with me, but one thing at a time.

I'll cut to the chase: I'm ensconced as his tutor in magic and I hope soon to put the Finch-Fletchley resources to our benefit. I think I can convince her that backing Laszlo will give us an advantage in deposing Voldemort.

So, first off, anything we can find out about the Finch-Fletchleys before they fled to France, might help me out. But second, I hope soon to have more than a good down-payment on premises for Laszlo; we'll just need staff and willing helpers once we find a likely shopfront.

Meanwhile, I'm sitting pretty here for the time being. I think Padfoot will do wonders to assuage Justin's fears and get him wanting to learn. Not to mention improve the kid's health, he's devilish peaky.


Minerva, have you had a chance to gauge Malfoy any better to prepare for the Governors? You know you and Poppy have your case in order, so it can't go too badly for you.