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[January 06]
placeheld for millicent blabbering about politics and then a ward to the minister's office when i'm not half asleeeeep

[December 28]
Well! As with all Christmas seasons, this one has been exceptionally busy. Brody has been home for some time now and, with Birdie fully on the mend, I have been very pleased to have all my children around me. Greta, as ever, has been a great help and a pleasure to have in the kitchen. I fear that because of her exceptional cooking, I will be spending the better part of January restricting my diet extensively.

As often happens when I spend time with family, I am reminded of how important protecting them is. As the New Year quickly approaches, I feel compelled to reflect on not only the tragedies we faced over the last few months of 1978, but all the milestones, friendships and gains we have made, both within the Ministry and without. We must dwell on our problems, I'm afraid -- if we don't face them, we do ourselves a great disservice -- but it does well to re-focus. To give ourselves some perspective. For me, it is being surrounding by my family and remembering yes, the bumps we have experienced personally, but seeing the love they have both for me and for one another.

And while I do not think love is the answer to our problems, it is one of the greatest motivating factors we have. Remembering our connection to one another, and seeing each other as individuals with mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers who love them.

I wish you all the happiest of Holiday Seasons. Here's to the diligent work we will undertake in the New Year.

[December 14]
WARDED TO 1978 MINUS SLYTHERINS:
Greta has suffered a head injury and is currently being treated in St. Mungo's. Please don't be alarmed, as the situation is under control and she is cognizant. She does not, however, remember how she sustained the injury. No foul play is suspected and I'm sure she would be happy to see some of you.
WARDED TO MACKENZIE:
I can't keep doing this. Greta's been injured.
WARDED TO ALASTOR:
Greta has suffered a concussion and can't remember how. I know I'm being over-protective, Alastor, but I would appreciate it if you had some time to come over this evening. See if there isn't anything you notice about her, if anything's off. I'm sure it's nothing, only with her other attack -- I'm beeing foolish, I know I am.

011: november 16, 1978 [November 16]
I would like to remind everyone that though we may be experiencing an interim in which we are without a Minister, it does not mean that the Ministry has come to a halt. Nor does it mean that the standards of professionalism by which we hold ourselves to on a daily basis can slip. This is hardly a matter of age, department or blood. Ministry workers are expected to adhere to a strict code of conduct and pride in their position. I will not stand for those standards slipping.

I myself have been keeping busy on a project I began with Minister Fancourt and hope to carry over into the new administration. In the past few weeks, I have been collecting information and organizing the distribution of a series of pamphlets which will, I hope, help to protect civilians against security risks. After lengthy consideration, I wish to create a small, inter-departmental committee who will advise and assist in the making and distribution of these pamphlets.

So. If you are interested in this opportunity (which will, of course, look excellent on a CV and during yearly assessments), please let me know at your earliest convenience. I would like to distribute the first of the series before the year is out.

WARDED TO MACKENZIE:
What on earth is going on? I've spoken with Mary, but I've just recieved word a complaint has been filed for her with the DMLE?
WARDED TO GRETA:
Barney and I has put together a small care package for you as a house-warming gift. I believe it contains new flannel sheets, pajamas, and other items for your room. There is also, perhaps, a package of new kitchen supplies. I believe you ought to stop by to pick them up and thank him.

010: november 8, 1978 [November 08]
As I'm sure you can understand, this has been a difficult day for those of us in the Minister's office. I would like to answer any questions you might have, but out of respect for the Fancourt family I do not wish to comment on their personal matters. I have had the honour of working with and for Minister Fancourt for many years and will always be grateful for his guidance and auspicious advice.

Naturally, we welcome this new, challenging phase with a mixture of enthusiasm and sadness. Rest assured, I will continue on in this capacity for as long as I am able and look forward to serving under the next Minister of Magic.

WARDED PRIVATE:
Never ask how things could possibly get any worse.

I'm not sure where this leaves me -- not any worse off than yesterday, really. I'm still effectively running the Ministry. Fancourt has hardly been here these past months. The only thing that changes is what come next. Or rather, who comes next. I confess, I do not like to dwell too much on the possibilities.

009: november 7, 1978 [November 07]
Generally speaking, I try to avoid complaints in my journal. I realize it is a personal device, but all the same I accept that my position means I am always representing not only my own interests, but those of the Ministry more largely. This weekend, however, I am very near convinced the gods are having an extremely unjust laugh at my expense. My six-year-old woke up last night looking green. Add a few wayward vigilantes into the mix, and I ask you: is there anything left to make my job more difficult?

Some days, I cannot.

008: november 2, 1978 [November 02]
It goes without saying that the Minister's office condones the recent attacks on Hogsmeade and are funneling as many resources as we can into the DMLE's on-going investigation. We are doing all we can. It's still not enoug

WARDED PRIVATE:
First Greta, now Hogsmeade. Reasonably, I realize Brody was away from the harm. Logically, I know that this isn't a pattern. Rationally, I am aware that over-reacting is only going to serve to push Greta away and give the bastards what they want. But it's beginning to take every ounce of strength I have to not pull Brody from school, force Greta to quit her job, quit my own and hibernate until all of this is over.

I can't keep imagining what I would do if
WARDED TO GRETA:
We should talk about how you feel. I want to know that you're alright after Hogsmeade. It couldn't have helped very much, pet.

007: october 9, 1978 [October 09]
My silence is not indicative of acceptance. I am not remotely okay with what happened, and to whoever has done this to my child -- you can be sure that I will use all the resources I have to find you and use against you the full extent of the law.

WARDED PRIVATE:
It's unbearable to imagine how this could have turned out. I can't -- I don't have time to write about it. But it hurts to look at her.

I can't lose any of them. I can't
WARDED TO BARTY CROUCH:
You'll understand, I'm sure, why I want to be intensely involved as to any and every movement in this case.

006: october 3, 1978 [October 03]
WARDED TO THE MINISTER'S OFFICE:
Emergency staff meeting Monday morning, 9am sharp. I know everyone is busy, so I will make sure breakfast is provided. We need to discuss our response to the attack and consider how this administration is going to be more productive. Too many people are using the word "ineffectual" -- I think it's time we meet those criticisms head on.

In the meantime, why Tinworth? And please -- stay safe.
WARDED TO GRETA:
Can I ask a favour of you, pet?

005: october 2, 1978 [October 02]
A note to all Ministry personel, though I feel the umbrella ought to be extended:

While I respect that these journals are largely personal devices, I am disheartened and, to be frank, angered at the influx in the use of derogatory slurs that do not have any place in the business of the Ministry. As representatives of the M.O.M., I would expect a certain level of professionalism when conducting your affairs on the public stage, one that reflects the ethics of tolerance this administration heartily advocates. In this time of distress and unrest, neither I, nor the Minister, will stand for officials to feed into and propegate a hate culture. I cannot control what is said in the privacy of your homes, or behind closed wards, but please be advised the further use of the word in public will not be tolerated or go without punishment. I would ask Heads of Departments to, while not spend time policing journals, be aware of this policy when and if they should notice an infraction of it.

Furthermore, let it be known that I would hope as a community we might all take better care to promote acceptance or, if nothing else, tolerance.

Thank you.

004: september 19, 1978 [September 19]
It has come to my attention that the Minister's recent Prophet interview has caused something of a stir amongst the various departments. Many are confused or even frustrated by some of the comments made and I want to emphasize that the Minister's office remains committed to addressing concerns and positively utilizing constructive criticism in order to enhance and make more efficient policy.

That said, Minister Fancourt is a very busy man and in this matter I will personally represent him should anyone feel the need to discuss their personal (or Departmental) grievances. Every citizen has the right to feel a part of the process of governance, and this is not merely an offer to Heads or Deputy Heads. Should you feel the need to speak about the Minister's interview, I will be happy to field any questions or concerns. Please do not be offended if I ask to take certain discussions under private wards.

WARDED TO GRETA:
We need to discuss your curfew.

003: september 13, 1943 [September 13]
WARDED TO RUFUS:
Happy Birthday, Rufus. Hope you're enjoying it as best you can. I'd love to take you out for a drink, but I imagine your as busy as I am. So perhaps next week? If you can manage it?

002: september 12, 1978 [September 12]
WARDED TO AURORS AND HITWIZARDS + BARTEMIUS CROUCH:
An owl came across my desk today regarding some suspicious individuals at St. Mungo's. Giving it a quick once over, it seems likely that the concerns are linked in some manner to the incident you have been investigating re: Magical Transportation Needs. Mrs. Narcissa Malfoy writes us that two patients were acting suspiciously, the timing suggesting a potential link to our ongoing investigation. She claims to know little in the way of details, having only been informed by chatter with the nurses on the Creature Induced Injuries floor. I shall have the Owl sent directly to the Department; as you can imagine, this ought to be one of our most pressing issues beside the Lestrange and Branstone case.
WARDED TO GRETA:
I was wondering if you wouldn't mind writing to your younger brother. We've recieved six owls this week, which suggests he's rather homesick. Perhaps you are in a better position to put his mind at ease, hm? You might suggest a friendly face for him to speak to? Perhaps someone from the year below you?

001: september 6, 1978 [September 06]
What a week and how, hm! I had thought the worst of it would be getting my son Brody off to Hogwarts, though it seems that September first was mightily eclipsed by the fourth. I should very much like to commend all Ministry staff for their professionalism and diligence in dealing with the increased fervor around Ms. Branstone's evocative piece of opinion journalism. While it is very much in our best interests to allow the freedom of the press, there is, nonetheless, an obvious overlap in terms of public reaction which cannot be avoided. Your dedication to addressing the concerns of the public is commendable indeed! I hope many of you have managed to spend the weekend in a rather more relaxed state, perhaps with loved ones and -- if the journals are anything to go by -- a nice drink, too.

I hope we can also remember that, irregardless of where one falls on the spectrum of such sensitive issues, we can take from a piece such as Moving in the Darkness an opportunity for conversation. We are all in much more trouble than we thought if we cannot at least allow for open, public dialogue and I, for one, see in all of this the silver-lining that is honest conversation and communication. When an article causes as much discomfort as this, it suggests we -- as a community -- have something that needs addressing.

And, should anyone be curious, Brody has been sorted into Hufflepuff! Needless to say, Barney and I are incredibly proud of him.

WARDED TO DEPARTMENT HEADS, DEPUTY DEPARTMENT HEADS, WIZENGAMOT SEATS, JUNIOR UNDERSECRETARY AND RUFUS SCRIMGEOUR:
That said, the Minister is not taking such a liberal or pointedly optimistic approach to the article and its fallout, with reason I'm sure. An update on the investigation into Ms. Branstone would be helpful in satiating him, at the very least. Have the measures been put into place which seek to ensure her safety?

[info]breakmods [August 18]
( Application. )

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