I've got a question I need you to answer.

Bet most of you heard already that Scrimgeour's woken up! First thing I found out this morning (though I've been asking bout him every day) & I've heard it a few times since too.

BUT! Not the point I was trying to make. Scrimgeour's been in the hospital for nearly a week now so I'm betting any flowers sent are drooping & I thought it might be nice to all send something fresh. (Molly's dying to send her famous Chicken Surprise but I told her the Healers might be regulating his diet & all, so that will have to be for later.)

I'm going to pop out on my lunch break & pick up a new card for us all to sign & maybe some balloons. Someone want to forge Rudiger's signature?

Got a pretty peculiar parcel in the mail yesterday & was hoping you could tell me if I should report it to the DMLE or not. I would have if I wasn't sick out of work today, but if it's nothing I don't want to bother the folk working weekends. Could be just a prank or something.

Though you might like to know that me & Molly are expecting again!!!

We know 5's a lot, &ct &ct, but Molly's dead set on having a girl and the (second-) third time's a charm & all. It's due 23 February, & we couldn't be more excited.

Just wanted to let you lot know that the wife & I are expecting again! We're pretty excited about it & all.

Never got to say congratulations before yesterday.

Congratulations anyhow. Molly & I'd love to have you over for a meal or something if you'd be so obliged. Neighbors have brought over loads of food so we've got more than enough.

I've got two separate reports of menhole covers exploding with sewage water & rainbow-coloured turtles in Camden Town & Upper Clapton, CLEARLY the work of some wizarding pranksters. We could normally handle this alone but Perkins is out sick today & I'm told there's a bit of unrest in Camden Town as a result, so I'm going to need some Hitwizards in addition to the two teams of Obliviators.

No reports of Dark Magic but I'll send word if that changes.

Molly! My beautiful & wonderful wife!

How do you feel about these defense classes that the ever-esteemed Professor McGonagall has suggested? Frankly, I think we should attend. I mean, I'm no fool when it comes to defense, mind you, what with my job and all, but with the boys & your brothers all, we can never be too safe.

& I was thinking I might volunteer to assist with the lessons. What do you think?

&& Oliver Bones is hosting a pot luck on Sunday for the DMLE and some other folk. What do you think about finding someone to mind the boys and getting out for an evening? We could ask my brothers or something even.

So! I started hearing something real INTERESTING this morning. (& I reckon if some of you knew me better you'd have more tact.)

& let me just say that the idea of my brothers-in-law being Death Eaters is PREPOSTEROUS! Complete and utter rubbish.

&& frankly it's insulting after everything my family's been through. So kindly shut your gobs.

People are saying things about your brothers. Thought I should let you know. Don't want you to be blindsided and all. It's all rubbish, of course, but you know how rumours are.

I may have told some people to shut their gobs.

Love you.

Rumour mill in the Ministry is BUZZING about you two! & it's not really good either. I know you're not Death Eaters but! it's hard to convince folks of that.

Sometimes (and sorry!) I wish I had someone else to confide in other than you (my beautiful wife) but! only because I know I'm the less worry-some of the 2 of us & I don't want to worry you more, but I really do need someone to confide in & you are my best friend.

But I can't figure out if I think your brothers selfish to be away on hols after what just happened in case they come after us or if I'd rather them be away & safe. Either way though! I don't think anyone can get through our wards, even Dumbledore himself if he (for whatever reason) tried.

I'll be out of the office a few days with what's happened with Molly's parents the Prewetts & all. Going through proper channels & all of course but thought I'd say something && make an informal request that someone make sure Perkins takes his lunch breaks while I'm away. He doesn't like to when he's the only one around in case he misses something but! exploding toilets can wait a half hour for him to eat a sandwich and not faint into the toilet again.

Right now Molly is
well
doing about as well as you probably are.

But I can't imagine that before long she's not going to get real angry at you two. Makes sense, part of the grieving process &ct &ct but still want you to be prepared. Don't know what she might say but regardless you're family & we're here for you.

I think! That we should make our own t-shirts.

I asked Reg Cattermole down in Magical Maintenance and he says his wife's said Muggles make all sorts of these t-shirt thingys for political statements. They say things like "Have a Nice Day!" & "I ♥ NY" & "Rolling Stones" (whatever that means).

Muggles seem to have odd political statements.

BUT! The shirts. They'd promote teamwork & unity & not vigilantism, &ct &ct?