Walden Macnair is too old for this shit.

(Warded private.)
From here on out I will always choose to stay in a derelict manor and not in a country home with my pregnant wife. My home seems to be failing me in small and irritating ways. Leaks, faulty flues, and another rodent infestation. I would take all of these issues and then some if it meant not dealing with a hormonal woman. I'm beginning to think all this nonsense is not worth having an heir. If she is not carrying my son I might just say goodbye to my bloodline because I do not think I want to put up with this for an additional nine months. If Jacqueline gives birth to a female I will see if Mrs. Greengrass would trade her for a boy. He can be ugly as sin, so long as he's male.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Inner Circle.)
Heirs are not worth it. Do not be fooled.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Rita.)
How are your hormones?
(End ward.)

(Warded to Bellatrix.)

Where are you? You haven't done something rash, have you?

(Death Eaters & Supporters.)
If any of you receive baked goods from my wife I suggest that you refuse them or set them aside and let someone know. Someone has been sent a pie with Jacqueline's name attached to it. I have asked her and she assures me that she sent out no such owl and it's possible that someone is trying to attack with desserts.

That being said, I wouldn't mind a slice of cake.

(Inner Circle + Bellatrix.)
Rita Skeeter thinks she saw knives being thrown at breakfast and I am telling her otherwise. It's a little amusing.

(Warded to Rita Skeeter.)

I apologise about the lack of drinks this week. Perhaps we should reschedule?

(Warded private.)
For now things are right, or at least as right as they can be. I feel as if I have so many thoughts in my head, crashing violently against each other. I think that I secretly enjoyed all this nonsense with the Foundation, which is terrible, but it distracted me from things that I did not want to think about. Leoben is dead. I speak with him one day and then the next I am forced to receive news of his death. I was calm, collected, and oddly stoic when it was confirmed. He was an excellent student. He could be stubborn and thickheaded but it made him who he was. He was supposed to learn and grow. He would have been one of the Dark Lord's best someday. I'm sure of it. He was loyal to the end, despite whatever shortcomings he might've had. Leoben was supposed to grow up, get married, and do great things. He was like a son to me and I loved him like one, even if he didn't see me as his father. I can only hope that the boy that my wife is carrying will grow up to be as good of a man as Leoben Yaxley.

I cannot believe that Jacqueline is pregnant. Although I did not agree with the way the news was given, it is still very good news. I have spoken to her since our fight and things are well. She will still remain in the country, at least while things are still as they are. I do not want anything happening to my son. Evangeline asked me if she was going to be an aunt and I told her no, only because it was public. I will give her the news at her birthday dinner. She is going to be so excited. Thank god she and the rest of the women have been returned home. The injuries were not permanent and soon all will be somewhat normal.

I really just want June to be over.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Evangeline.)
I am very, very glad for your safe return home. I am so sorry that I have not been to the house to see you but I thought mother should be given the chance to smother you with mother-ness.

I have birthday things planned for you so perhaps you could come by the manor this evening?
(End ward.)

(Warded to Rita Skeeter.)
Lovely wireless broadcast. Drinks this week? I have something to tell you and I know you'll laugh.
(End ward.)

(Warded to the Inner Circle.)
I understand it's been one of those weeks days, but I am in need of good company or I may murder my wife

Also, Jacqueline is with child. I must apologise, but the terrorists were the first to know. I haven't even received a box of cigars from them. Cheap bastards.

(End ward.)

(Warded to Conrad Warrington.)

I have a question for you. It's simple, don't worry.

[after seeing this.]

Some people are hopeless idiots. I suppose we keep them around because if the kings can have fools, so can we.

(Warded to Amycus Carrow, Octavius Pepper, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Frank Longbottom, Catalina Proudfoot, Georgina Smythe, Rufus Scrimgeour, Alana Fenwick, Samuel Madley, Gawain Robards, Finella Abercrombie, Alastor Moody, Josephine Savage + Inner Circle.)

I have to say that I didn't think you had it in you to send body parts through the post, so this is a surprise. That being said, we advise you to cease and desist immediately. Funny thing, Ministry records. No one can accuse us of being unorganised, that is for certain. Even when employees leave us we still keep every shred of information we ever gleaned from them.

Let me cut to the point as you seem to have done. You have our families and so we thought it only fair to take yours. We don't know which of our family members you have or what their current state is so we will do you the same courtesy. Since you're all there and probably unable to receive owls, we'll find something creative to do with our limbs. We moved on from fingers a long time ago.

In conclusion, your actions will be mirrored. Whatever you do, we'll do. If this idea does not appeal to you then I suggest we talk.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Ben.)
charmed to buzz quietly.

I know you're on patrol tonight. One of our ranks has reported a fire somewhere in Diagon. Gleaning information from this boy will take more effort than I'm willing to give. What's going on down there?

Added early Sunday evening.
Leoben Yaxley. Where the hell are you? Check in this instant.

(End ward.)

Added later.
(Warded to Inner Circle)
Yaxley is on patrol with Carrow tonight. I tried to contact him with the journals but he's not responding. Under normal circumstances I would not be alarmed but with the recent surge of fire related attacks I can't help but act a bit paranoid. Warrington is useless.
(End ward.)

(Warded private.)
I am writing in this blasted book because if I don't I am sure I will march into the Daily Prophet and murder that woman on the spot. There is very little chance that anyone even put the pieces together because no one even knows about us and even if they did, who the hell reads that rubbish!? Unless they're trapped in a dress shop...

What the hell was she thinking? And she wants to write a book now. That's a laugh. Perhaps she'll base a character on me. He's moved on to working in transportation! She's insane. I want to shake her.

I hope it's acceptable to have a drink (or seven) with my lunch.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Rita Skeeter.)
You owe me royalties and I expect you to pay up.
(End ward.)

Dress shops are no place for a man. I have harpsichord and the smell of roses stuck in my head and I do not enjoy either at the moment.

(Warded to Death Eaters & Dark Army.)

Hogwarts rotations have been assigned and everyone is expected to show up for their allotted time unless you have spoken to someone about your absence. If you are still injured or hospitalised we expect you to report to duty as soon as you are able.

Please note that these schedules will not take effect until everyone is out of the hospital and available for rounds. Until that time everyone should be on Hogwarts soil, no questions asked.

Group One.
Emory Montague
Marius Lestrange
Severus Snape
Leoben Yaxley
Alecto Carrow

Group Two.
Rabastan Lestrange
Ferdinand Gibbon
Demetrius Mulciber
Gaius Travers

The Dark Army is expected to be on the grounds the entire time. If there are problems you all know the proper channels of communication.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Inner Circle Death Eaters + Rufus Scrimgeour, Frank Longbottom, Alice Longbottom.)

Let me take a moment to explain to you how we are going to resolve this current stalemate. There is a Muggle boy out here with us. His name is Billy Hammer. I think that's his name...Yes, he's nodding that I have his name correct. Billy has told us all about his life up until this very moment. He's seventeen years old! Can you believe that? Seventeen. He tells us he's a footballer, whatever that means. He finally has his first proper girlfriend and he's supposed to be taking her to the end of school formal. He has a tux and everything! Unfortunately, Billy buddy needs your help. He might live on long enough to take...What's her name?

Penny! Her name is Penny. He might live long enough to dance with Penny but only if you give in, surrender, throw in the towel, as you simple folk put it. You have ten minutes. We want your surrender in ten minutes or this boy bleeds to death and we put his body where you can see it. That patch of matted grass where that fellow of yours died looks a good a place as any. If you're worried about missing anything, we'll make sure everything is done where you can see. We'd hate to be accused of bluffing. Look, he's waving!

I should also add that there will be more Billys in near future unless you do as we ask. These children's lives are in your hands so think about that while you cower in a dead man's castle.
(End ward.)

(Warded private.)
I am very glad to be back at home, although I did enjoy the company of friends in our rather impromptu camp out. The battle went well and though a fair amount of our ranks were injured we did not lose anyone and that is to be celebrated. I've moved on from the dictaquill. I prefer to write my thoughts instead of speak them and I'm very glad to have the use of my right hand once more. My wrist is still stiff but the pain is all but gone. The gashes in my leg have also all but healed.

Jacqueline seems glad to have me home but I feel she may be annoyed with the fact that I plan to spend the evening at Lestrange Manor and not at home with her. I informed her that I would be coming home but it would be late and I would likely be intoxicated. She didn't seemed pleased but I'm not worried. I wonder what she must think of me in regards to being her husband. I'm probably nothing like she expected and though I feel like I should make some sort of effort I have no desire to play happy family. I entered this agreement as a favour to her father, yes, but also because it is my duty as the last Macnair son to carry on the bloodline. Clement only has daughters and I only one sister. It's up to me to make sure this family survives. I informed Jacqueline that she would be discontinuing the use of contraceptives for now there is no fear for her reputation. I hope to have news to give by the beginning of the summer.

What I wouldn't give to be eighteen again so I could go through life knowing the things I do now. I wonder if things would be any different or if I would still find myself on the very same path.
(End ward.)

(Warded to the Inner Circle.)
Indulge me. One thing in your life you would change and why.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Jacqueline.)

I am still at Hogwarts and I require a favour. Please contact a florist, I don't care which one, and order enough flowers to fill a room. Make sure they are obnoxious looking and then have them sent to Mungo's. I think the boys need a pick-me-up. Hope you are well.

Oh, could you have them make a card for the flowers? Just to let them know that us old men are thinking of them? Maybe put a heart on there. That'd be great.

See? I told you guys I could talk just fine without slurring my words.

Oh. This thing records everything. I haven't used one of these in years! We used to send people joke notes...nevermind. I need another drink.

( Warded to Lucinda Greengrass. )

( Warded private. )

(Warded private.)
Mother came over for dinner this evening. There is nothing I love more than listening to two women chatter on about women things. Is it wrong that I wish that my mother and my wife were constantly at each other's throats? Then we wouldn't have dinners and that would be ideal. She's been telling me all about her outings with Ben. Apparently he is "such a nice boy". She seems to think that I'm behind the matchmaking and I keep telling her my approval is the only part I took in the engagement. I wonder what she would say if she knew he was a Death Eater and that he killed the former Minister.

I don't know what to do with Ben. His attitude towards me has changed drastically. He's civil at best and even then it's only because I'm his elder, not because he thinks I deserve his respect. He's been like this since his demotion and the "training" that followed. I know I've written this before and I said I wouldn't apologise, but perhaps I should. Though what sort of mentor would I be if I didn't stand behind my punishments? He'll start to think that I'm second guessing all of my actions and that is not the case.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Ben.)
It's been two months and I still find you to be a changed man and not for the better, I might add. What's troubling you?
(End ward.)

Anyone for tea and biscuits? We have more than enough honey for a tea service, so long as you don't mind a few feathers.

(Warded private.)

I feel as if I'm walking around in some other man's shoes. I have not been myself these past weeks, whether anyone has cared to notice or not. I believe that Jacqueline has, though she hasn't said anything about it. She's been trying to get me to open up to her. She wants me to talk about anything but I don't feel like obliging her. Perhaps I'm not cut out to be a husband after all. It's been a month and I'm already waving her off and leaving the house earlier than usual.

Ben and I have been training more now. He's still very polite and unlike himself, which is irritating. I have to fight back the urge to hit him, as this was the cause of his current state of attitude. I will not apologize for my discipline because he deserved it even if I did lose my temper a bit

He's to be married to Eva, which is hard to imagine. I gave them my blessing and I know that he truly cares for her but as an older brother it is my job to be cautious for her.

I haven't spoken to Rodolphus much since the incident at the library. We spent a morning taking apart his wheelchair and since then we've both been rather busy. It's strange to see him so affected by something. The world should shudder to a halt when a man like Rodolphus Lestrange sheds a tear but it moved ever forward. It was unsettling to see him that way. I wish that I had something in this world that I cared for as much as he loved that library.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Evangeline.)
Have you been practising your new signature?
(End ward.)

(Warded to Ben.)
I hear congratulations are in order.
(End ward.)

Soon enough it will be warm enough to allow for long distance riding. This is a very exciting prospect.

(Warded to Rodolphus.)

Now that there is no worry that you will prematurely end up six feet down, I will be coming to your home and dragging you out to socialize against your will. You have no say in the matter.

Fresh air is good for you.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Aeneas.)
Congratulations, sir. You are most certainly the best man for the job.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Ben.)
Thank you for your alert on the library. I know it's what anyone would have done but thank you just the same.

How is the mending?
(End ward.)

(Warded to Rodolphus.)
If you die I will kill you.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Inner Circle.)
Someone say something distracting.
(End ward.)

[insert Walden's thoughts on marriage, young des, and other Walden-esque things here.]

(Warded to Ben.)
I hope you can understand why I did what I did this evening. I may not fully agree with Gaius Travers and the way he handled things, but he makes a valid point. We work as a team, Ben. Imagine what would happen if I went out and took a mission into my own hands. I would be birched, the same as you. Your enthusiasm is a credit but you need to learn to work with others, even if you do not particularly like them. I don't want to lecture you but I just need to see where I am coming from. I did not throw you on the chopping block today because I thought it would be fun. I believe you are a hard-working and dedicated man and I want you to learn from this mistake.

Perhaps I can manage to break away from Jacqueline long enough to take a meal with you, should you like to see Rome. Do you have any free days?
(End ward.)

(Warded to Dolph.)
I would like to announce that I am not an absolute failure at marriage, though it has only been less than a week. I find this rather exciting.
(End ward.)

(Warded to Inner Circle.)
Mentor is Latin for glorified babysitter.
(End ward.)

(Warded private.)
I could kill her. She is nothing but a meddling woman who cannot stand it when things are out of her control. She doesn't even work for the society section anymore. She says she's doing this for Jacqueline but I know her. Rita Skeeter does not do favours for anyone, not ever. This is some self-serving act but I cannot figure out what she is after.

I'm going over there. Right now. I'll catch her off guard and I'll tell her exactly what I'm going to do if she turns this into a circus.
(End ward.)


(Warded private after this.)
If I could give one piece of advice to the world it would be this: Do not sleep with journalists. They are the devil.

Blast it all.
(End ward.)

( Warded private. )
( Warded to Jacqueline. )
( Warded to Evangeline. )

( Warded private. )
( Warded to Rodolphus. )
( Warded to Aeneas, Atticus, and Ben.  )
( Warded to Death Eaters & Supporters. )

( Warded private. )
( Warded to Rodolphus.  )
( Warded to Death Eaters & Supporters. )

( Warded to the Inner Circle. )

( Warded private. )
( Warded to Inner Circle. )
( Warded to Ben. )

I cannot believe it is almost January. I can already tell that this year will be better.