Where are we? What the hell is going on?

WARDED PRIVATE
Is it wrong to not want this case taken away from me? I'm just doing grunt work that they can trust to a rookie who's still being shadowed, but it's real work still and such a nice change from patrolling, not that I don't enjoy patrolling. But it's such good experience.

Of course if it really is Scabior, it should go to someone else, someone with more experience with high-profile and dangerous criminals. It should be dealt with by someone who isn't new to the job. I know they only gave this to me because it seemed like relatively routine work and wanted to free up the experienced people for bigger things like Lestrange, but now that it may not be so routine after all, it's only a matter of time before I'm done with it.

Of course we don't know if it is Scabior yet, and it's true enough what I said about us not knowing that the attacker, the man we're looking for is connected to Death Eaters (even if it did feel a bit like lying!) Ms. Jones and Hitwizard Bradley both think it's likely, but likely or not, we don't know. We have no proof. They won't change anything without proof, will they?

Of course not. Though if they did, they'd be perfectly justified and within their rights.

In the meantime, note to self: ask sergeant about putting together a photographic lineup instead of in-person - if Scabior is a suspect, we obviously can't owl him and request his presence.

WARDED TO PEOPLE LIVING OR WORKING IN HOGSMEADE, OR WHO HAVE BEEN TO HOGWARTS IN THE LAST MONTH
ADDED: WARD AGAINST CLARENCE SCABIOR
Good evening. The Department of Magical Law Enforcement is looking for an individual, last seen in the vicinity of Hogsmeade Village and Hogwarts castle. This individual, name unknown, is a caucasian male, over six feet tall with neat dark hair reaching his eyebrows, cleanshaven, dressed in a dark shirt and trousers with a maroon tartan waistcoat and no tie. He spoke in an Essex accent, frequently used terms of endearment like "love" and "darling," and was seen smoking a cigarette.

If you have seen anyone of this description at or near Hogsmeade or Hogwarts in the last month, please reply to this entry or contact the DMLE with your information.

Thank you,

Patrol Witch Marietta Edgecombe

WARDED PRIVATE
Of course I don't think that everything in the world is perfect and that nothing should ever change, but she has a point.

Why can't life just go back to normal? No mad murderers running around, no threats, no nightmares, no demands for restitution, as if money is going to bring anyone back, or make the hurt go away, and no demands for change, as if they really think our world is so terrible that it's just going to happen again if they don't do something to shake it all apart and Spellotape it back all out of order. Can't you just blame the mad people instead of all of us together?

No need for you to take matters into your own hands.

Wasn't life good before? There were dark times, but there always will be. There were names thrown about, but there always have been. Clamor as much as you like, but all your little petitions and societies aren't going to change that. There were friends and family. People could live their lives without all this upheaval. Why can't we go back to that?

WARDED TO AUDREY SCOTT
Good day, Miss Scott.

I have been assigned as a member of the DMLE Patrol to follow up with you in regard to the recent incident in Hogsmeade. If there is a time that I could meet with you to conduct a followup interview, I would appreciate it very much.

Patrol Witch Marietta Edgecombe

WARDED PRIVATE
I'm certain the Wizengamot had their reasons for releasing Mr. Malfoy.

And I'm sure it will work out for the best for everyone involved.

He wouldn't be allowed to leave if he were a clear and present danger to others, after all.

But

I'm sure it can't be right for Ministry employees to be criticizing the decision so openly. We must show our support for the system or the system will not be able to work to its fullest extent.

It's so exciting to think that I'll be doing something useful for a few days! I can't believe Sir Chief Mr. Robards selected me of all people. I must not make him regret the decision.

Of course, patrolling is very useful and important as well, but it's good to get a bit of a change and I've never done a line-up before. And of course it will be nice to see the sun for a few days.

Perhaps I should go over the admonishment again just to be sure I have it fully memorized.
/PRIVATE

WARDED TO CHO
It looks like I'll be switching my schedule for a little while to work on a case. It probably will last just a few days - it looks like it's near the end already. But you never can be sure. I just thought I'd let you know so we don't end up starting the day with a fight over the bathroom.
/CHO

I wasn't able to go to the auction, but my brother Gordon was and from what he said, it sounds like everyone enjoyed themselves, and it was a lovely evening for the most part. For my part, I'm sorry to have missed the chance to relax a bit and dress up a bit. But I admit I'm also glad it's over and done with, because now there shouldn't be any need for people to publicly bring up delicate subjects and swarm over them like ravenous pir that are better addressed in private.

I also hope that, given the number of people who were forced into participation, those who won a date will not also attempt to pressure these people into doing more things they do not want to do. I'm sure that the people who organized it would not want that, and that we all would rather Hogwarts' rebuilding not be tainted by ill-gotten funds. And for those who were coerced into taking part, don't worry. I'm sure the investigation will be underway soon.

WARDED TO CHO

I can't wait until Rodolphus Lestrange is caught. Apart from the obvious danger he poses, especially to whoever that "ink" belonged to, his escape has caused so much fear I'm surprised I've been allowed to take my day off. I expect to go in again tomorrow and find that every housewitch in the country has owled in a sighting. I wonder if this is what it was like when Sirius Black was loose? I suppose it must have been.

I'm glad you're back at work today, though. I know that's hypocritical of me to say after I volunteered to patrol where the muggleborns are living, but that's how it is I'm afraid.

Though it will be nice to be around at the same time tonight. When we work different hours it sometimes seems like living alone.

Are you going to the auction? I'm not very interested in the auction part (I doubt I'd be able to contribute much), but it would be nice to have a chance to dress up again. But with everything going on lately, I doubt I'll have the opportunity to go. And that's fine, there are more important things, but if you go I hope you have a nice enough time for both of us.