Sirius Black

Draco went to see his father again, over a week ago. They talked quite a bit about the protections on the older vaults like the Malfoys', the Blacks' and the Lestranges', and so we at Grimmauld have been discussing it on and off. I gather Hermione and Draco also tried to talk to the goblins at Moddey about it, but haven't got very far.

Charlie, did you know they've got a dragon in the bowels of the bank? Hermione said she tried to tell Ragnik how inhumane it was to keep a dragon underground but he didn't seem too fussed about it. I should say, they're highly reticent about letting us in to the vaults, and well, one can easily understand why.

But we had a thought, and Charlie, Bill, Rachel, perhaps it might be worth exploring. Ragnik informed them that the scepter of the isle was originally fashioned by goblins. I believe we were hoping for a replica of it anyway, to swap out with the real one, the horcrux. If we explained what Voldemort's done to it, and gave it back to them, do you think they would be willing to destroy it? And would that help them help us get into Bella's vault at the bank? If not, then what other measures could we employ to gain their cooperation - I have faith in Draco and Hermione, but it's Gringott's. They can use all the help they can get.

How's that student - Montgomery?

And have there been any aftereffects from the memory modifications on her companions?

I'm posting privately mainly not to worry certain types who, er, don't necessarily know what happened yesterday afternoon. Though eventually Alice and Charlie need to be told - I thought there was no sense worrying Molly everyone else, particularly with Hagrid's involvement in saving that girl.

Any further word, any of you? How has the Ministry been today, Bill? Charlie, have the dragons settled down?

If something large is occupying their attention, maybe we could turn that our to advantage somehow. Could we stage another large breakout like Derby? Maybe get Davidson and Turner into position somewhere in the south?

Or ... has anyone checked the wards? Frank, fancy a sail? I'm sure we'd have known if suddenly the country became accessible to the outside but if the anti-muggle charms weren't affected then perhaps no one's noticed.

But there must be something we can do.