abracadabraxas

I haven't quite made up my mind how I feel about a pumpkin shortage being "grave" news compared to much of what we've been reading and hearing about, lately. I realize Halloween is soon approaching (Cordelia's charity involvement doesn't allow me to forget it), but how many jack o'lanterns does a person really need? We don't even keep one around our house now that the children are grown and away. Besides, some of the portraits around here are much more horrifying.

Perhaps St. Mungo's ought to get their hands on some pumpkins and auction them off since they appear to be somewhat valuable now. I don't have much use for them, myself, but if the juice is at stake (so tragic) a few restaurants might be able to part with some gold for a good cause.

Reprehensible?

Good Lord, those nutjobs from PETE have Gillyweed for brains. The day I give my elf paid leave is the day it asks for it. I'll even pack her a bag and a couple of socks for her journey.

The relationship between wizards and elves is an old and mutually understood one. From my personal experience with Manor elves throughout the years, I'm under the impression that they consider it a great honor to serve a wizarding family (particularly an ancient, established one). Any wizard worth his salt values a decent elf when he finds one. Our current elf, Dingy, is a master in the kitchen and eager to serve. I've never had to deal with any belligerence or talk of holidays, and on the occasion that she mucks a job up, she punishes herself before I even learn of the problem - a feat in a residence full of busybody portraits, you understand.

Am I punishing her? No. Is it elf cruelty? Hardly. She acts of her own volition (and admirably so). She's not a victim, and I've never victimized her by requesting boudin noir for dinner. Of course no house elves have stepped up! They have more sense than the combined members of PETE.

However, I should point out that a sick house elf is of no good use to anyone and leaving it untreated will only perpetuate disaster. As does having a son who finds immense amusement in ordering an elf to drink a bottle of butterbeer. The cost of healing an ill elf is far cheaper than the cost of a new one.

Any member of PETE who feels that I am oppressing Dingy is free to speak with her. And if you're worried about elves not speaking up with their opinions, perhaps you should order them to do so. Or does that defeat your purpose?

A foreign wizard? Really? I do business with the Russians, and I'm friends with a few, but I'd roll over in my grave if the manor somehow got into the hands of a foreign wizard.

First the crups, now this.

Perhaps I need to look over my current will and testament and make the proper revisions, if necessary. If only Lucius was home. I would like to see his reaction.

I suppose it's a good thing that I didn't turn the wireless off as soon as Celestina Warbeck warbled her first note, else I might have missed the news.

Am I the only one who thinks that the Muggles should be thankful it was a carpet that landed on them and not a Lethifold? Unless, of course, the carpet that landed on them was of poor quality. I'd hate to hear that not only were the Muggles nearly suffocated, they may have suffered abrasions, too. If the Ministry officials use their heads, they'll inspect the quality of the rug so that they might discern its origin. Some carpets - silks, mainly - are meant to be wall hangings, some are meant for decorating floors, some might be suitable for flying, and the rest should really only be used for rolling up dead bodies.

My last was a joke, in case the sarcasm didn't convey.

The more interesting point is the deaths and this lightning business. Who cares about wrestling a carpet when there are deaths to be investigated? And were they really Muggles? It seems suspicious to me. Shoddy reporting.

In other news, I expect my son will soon be writing to convey his interest in the new broom. Perhaps I'll buy one and give it a test run myself. It's been a while and my old broom is rather out-of-date, even if it is in impeccable condition.

( App behind the cut! )