dulcinea bulstrode isn't a bitter single girl yet

( Application for Dulcinea Doge Bulstrode )

( Wards )

Dulci random facts.

Dulci intro on the connections meme (current players only).

Dulci's want ads: all sorts of Doges, soon to be ex-husband.

[Warded to friends]

This has been my week so far:

- I caught a werewolf with a lot of help from Sturgis and Sofia.
- I got hit in the face by a Muggle cricket bat, which looks a lot like a beater's bat for those of you who have no idea what that is, and the whole left side of my face is a giant bruise. No concussion, though, thanks St Mungo's!
- I helped keep a werewolf from eating everyone in an American-style Muggle diner and a waitress gave me a pie. An American-style pie. Which I duly shared with my colleagues. Cherry pie is very tasty.
- I signed off on the application for the decree absolute with Cris after the full moon was over. The Wizengamot is taking almost two weeks to process decrees right now. Expected approval date is 21 May.
- I found out I'm a bad role model for my daughter because I look like some beat me up (they did, in the line of duty) and because I won't go to Purple Hats any more which means my daughter won't be able to marry a decent man. I'll skip details of the discussion that followed, but suffice it to say my idea of what I should model for Bina and what kind of man I hope she marries are very different from Bina's father's.
- I slept for fourteen hours.

If anything interesting happened since the full moon started, this would be a good time and place to tell me about it, because I almost certainly didn't hear about it.

[Warded to the DMLE]

We were too late for the first three, and the two they turned, but we got one of them. It was a hard fight, but we did get one of them.

I have a new trick with a muzzling spell that worked to good effect last night. I'll be happy to teach it to anyone who wants to learn.

[Warded to friends and Doges]

If you see anything about WTF in the paper today, yes, I was involved last night. I wasn't injured and all my WTF colleagues came home safely.

[Warded to Rose]

I've stayed over long enough that you can look me over in person so you won't worry. I had to be here to process intake paperwork anyhow.

[Warded private]

I don't think we can call it a victory when we only got one and they killed three and turned two, but after Rufus and the Aurors went up against the vampires, I'll take it. And I really hope nobody saw me punch that werewolf or I'll never hear the end of it. It worked, and I didn't get bitten, and that's the important thing.

It's rather sad that I dreaded fighting werewolves less than meeting with Cris to sign the application for the decree absolute tomorrow afternoon.

[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

Full moon tonight. I'm on duty or on call until it's over, so don't look for much from me until afterwards. If you need to get my attention, put a ringing charm on the entry.

[Warded to Obi]

Do you know if the upper levels have put a 24x7 watch on Rufus? If not, may I suggest one be put into place? The Death Eaters did call him out personally.

I'd be happy to volunteer for shifts once the full moon is over and I'm back on regular hours.

[Warded to Rufus Scrimgeour]

Rufus, I know you're not going to read this but you are not allowed to die, dammit.

( Private )

[Warded to friends and family]

I suppose most of you will have heard the news about Rose's brother and his wife. We're devastated, but we're all standing behind Rose and Obi. I don't know anything about arrangements yet, but I'll post something when I do. I'm sorry if I'm brief, but I'm still a bit in shock myself.

[Warded to Bilius Weasley]

Obviously dinner is off. Sorry.

[Warded to Alastor Moody]

I'll have to request a raincheck on sparring, unfortunately, because of the attack. I'm sorry.

[Warded to Damocles Belby]

Mr. Belby, my name is Dulcinea Bulstrode. Healer Roisin Doge, who happens to be married to my brother, mentioned to me that you had formulated a potion to affect and control some of the effects of the werewolf curse and were currently testing the potion. As I am a hit witch, and seconded to the Werewolf Task Force, this is a matter of professional interest to me.

I'd like to speak with you about your work, if that's possible. It would have to be an unofficial discussion, because I'm not in the management of the task force. However, depending on the outcomes of your work, I might be able to bring your potion to the attention of the DMLE. I can't offer any guarantees, though; I want to be very upfront about that. Still, I'd like to be in a position to offer a recommendation about your work when and if it comes to the attention of the Task Force.

Please let me know when and if it would be convenient for us to meet in person, or if you could answer some questions in the journals. Obviously I would keep anything you told me confidential.

Thank you,
Dulcinea Bulstrode

ETA later, after the news from Galway has hit PS: I may be delayed in my responses due to a family tragedy. Please don't take it as a reflection on my interest in your work.

[Warded to family and friends]

Some of you have already heard this news in person, and now that I've owled Bina and her father, I can announce it to the rest of you: I've taken a lateral promotion, as it were, to the Werewolf Task Force that was announced yesterday. It's an increase in responsibility and duties, although the scope of it won't come clear until at least a month has passed.

Meanwhile, don't expect to see or hear much from me during the full moon, and stay safe, all of you.

[Warded to Octavius Pepper]

I need some help and advice, and I think you're the man to give it to me. Have you got a few minutes?

I received a lovely owl with flowers from my daughter on Mothering Sunday, but the best gift I received was my family gathering at the house, from my grandparents on down, for dinner. We missed those who couldn't make it, but we were very glad to see those who came.

I'm not sure we've had such a convergence of Doges in one place since the last wedding, and definitely none at home since before my mother died. I haven't helped arrange such an event in some time myself, and I was surprised to realise how much I enjoyed it.

Hosting a book club looks much more appealing today.

[Warded to friends]

Following on Auror Moody's excellent advice earlier today to GO HOME, it's occurred to me that I might like to do something other than sleep once I get there.

Rose and I are thinking of a book club and gauging interest, both in the general idea and in specific books. Fiction occurred to me first but light non-fiction isn't out of the question. We could take a month to read a book and then meet and discuss it with a bottle of wine or two.

[Warded to Bilius Weasley]

Confederacy of Wizards is on the list, but since the point is for Rose and me to read something not related to our jobs, a war allegory probably isn't a good starting point. Maybe two or three months in.

[Warded to Doges]

Also I need something tonight to distract me from waiting for my new cousin. Good thing I'm on duty or I'd be climbing the walls.

[Warded to friends and family]

I have good news that I don't quite know how to announce other than announcing it. Cris and I have hammered out a settlement. We went over it point-by-point yesterday and as soon as the solicitors have incorporated all our last-minute changes, we'll sign the updated parchments and file the application. We expect the divorce to be final by mid-June.

I will remain in Batheaston for the foreseeable future. Cris will be remaining in Little Hangleton; the house is settled on Bina in the agreement, with the understanding that Cris will be allowed to remain there until Bina takes her NEWTs. She will be splitting her holidays roughly equally between the two of us for this year, with an option to review custody next year.

You've all been fantastic at supporting me through this and I feel very fortunate to have all of you in my life. Thank you.

[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

All that about being fantastic goes double for you lot. Especially Dad, who's been so good about letting me run back home, and Rose, who has put up with a lot of crying on her shoulders, and Obi who has never hesitated to kick my arse when I've needed it.

I love all of you.

What appears to be the closing of one door may also be the opening of another.

[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

I'm home finally. I think I know where everyone is, but if there's anything I ought to know, somebody please tell me. I'd appreciate a check-in. I'll deal with the rest of it when I wake up.

Also, everybody be nice to Obi. He had a worse night than I did.

[Warded to the DMLE]

I'm closing down for the day. Theoretically I'm off tonight and shifting towards day, but if there's still a lot to do, let me know and I'll come shovel parchment with the rest of you.

On the off chance Bitter Singles is still on, let me know and I'll try to swing by.

[Warded to Mia Corner]

Obviously I don't think I'm going to be there tonight after all. I'm sorry. I wish I had something better to say than be safe, and my love to you and Marlene.

[Warded Private]

If I get an owl of any sort from Cris today, I swear I'm setting whatever it brings on fire. Happy Valentine's Day, bitter not-yet-single lady.

[Warded private]

This weekend has been a nightmare. I'm supposed to be off today and tomorrow but there's no chance of me not going in for a while, at least. I might make 80 hours this next week at the rate things are going, especially since I'm working nights. I am not the role model for work-life balance, to say the least. But how can I go home when there are hags and werewolves and vampires eating kids?

I'm glad I talked to Dad, though. It was worth it. I was so scared of what he was going to think about me letting Cris have a large share of custody, and he's right about everything he said about Cris. I'm not sure we can manage half-time, but if trying gets Dad out of his shell for more than Without Spouses, it'll be a good thing.

[Warded to Doges]

Hey, with all the excitement, I lost track of what day we're talking about for Dad's dinner. Can somebody catch me up on that?

[Warded to Dad]

One of my colleagues, Arthur Weasley, had some of his windows blown out over the weekend by a vampire attack. He and his wife and their six kids had to flee the house. They haven't two sickles to rub together because their families have cut them off for not being purist bastards. I told them we could fix them up at cost because Merlin knows they need the help. I've left the numbers and dimensions on your desk. Let me know what we can do.

[Warded to Aunt Ariadne]

What are you doing next Saturday, assuming we're not called in? I was thinking something in the afternoon, maybe going to see Bilius Weasley at the bookstore in Hogsmeade, and then we could have early dinner either at the house or your place where there are no stupid holiday celebrations. What do you think?

[Warded to Rufus Scrimgeour]

I'm off today and in a mood to hit something. Have any free time?

That was a long week that led to a long weekend.

[Warded private]

What a night. There we were--and now I feel terrible about it--mocking that pompous git Edmund Nott as he threatened his daughter--and I can't believe he really disowned her! did he really disown her? I have to do something kind for her--and then Chloe, and then that ward of Savage's. I can't say how relieved and simply grateful I was when Sturgis and I got to Edgar and Cally's and they were all right. And then how grateful I was when the Aurors showed up. I'm afraid I was a little sharp with Chloe and probably owe her an apology, but I was so worried about Ariadne. I can't say I didn't want to do the same, but I was working and I couldn't turn it off, even if I wanted to come home and join in the pile as well.

I'm not an Auror, but I wonder sometimes how long it is until my name ends up on one of these blood traitor lists. Or Dad's and Bina's. I told Chloe I'd help her with the Knight Bus project with the Purple Hats, and I'm sticking to it, but damned if I don't think it's a terrible idea.

[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

I'm home and I'm going to bed and I'm thinking of taking a potion to make sure I sleep. I love you all, and I'm OK. Don't worry about me if I don't answer.

.
[Warded to Sturgis Podmore]

I owe you a big one from last night. Thanks for being there. Also, your impressions are funny as hell but Merlin's fucking left ball I hope we don't find one of those girls trussed up like they said about Jonathan Bones or worse.

I'm so grateful for my family right now. I'm so grateful my family is all all right right now.
Edited to add after this:
[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

Don't answer any of these strangers writing in my journal. I'm working with the Department to figure out what's going on. Be safe, all of you.

.

[Warded to Chloe Doge]

I've been talking to Ariadne and I'll be going over there to take her dinner and walk her dogs so she can rest before she has to go back to the lab. Do you want me to come out to St. Ives as well? I'm off today so it's no trouble.

[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

I have another owl from Crispin about the property settlement today. I'm all right, but I need to talk to someone, possibly several someones, about it. Solicitor advice isn't as good as family advice.

[Warded to Sturgis Podmore]

Sturgis, can I pick your brain about some outside-of-work things? It's kind of personal so feel free to tell me to buzz off.

[Warded to Aunts Cally and Chloe]

Did either of you go to Purple Hats? How bad was it? And in case you didn't see, I'm dropping by Auntie Ariadne's on the way to work tomorrow.

[Warded to Aaron Wagtail]

I heard about the wireless. Let me know if there's anything I can do to help.

Also, when you feel up to it, there are some things to do with Without Spouses I'd like to ask you about. But I'm sure you've got other things on your mind right now, so it will wait.

Never have I been so happy to have my day off be on a Thursday.

[Warded to Doges by blood and marriage]

I know you must all be all right, but can we all check in, please? I don't want to worry and I don't want anyone else worrying either. I'm off work and at the house, and can help anywhere I'm needed, if I am.

[Warded private]

Merlin, it's great to feel competent about something for a change. I don't know whether it was Healer Moody's manner of teaching (and poor Moody, to be so awful when his wife is running the clinic) or just some native talent I never tapped or forgot I have, but that went better than I expected it to. No, I did better than I expected to.

I've been wallowing for so long with the divorce and the anniversary and the Finnigan case bringing it all back. I've got to stop that. With Cambina in school and without Crispin to wait on, I can focus on work for a change. If I buckle down now, who knows what I can do?

[Warded to Mary McDonald]

Sorry you had such rotten luck at the clinic today. Sometimes I have a terrible time when I'm put on the spot like that. I'm sure you'll do just fine in the field.

If you want to work with someone, I'd be happy to practise with you when we both have a day off.

[Warded to Doge aunts]

Aunties, I have an invitation to the Harper-Gibbon wedding. I don't know where we'll be in the divorce settlement by March just yet. Do you think I dare go to the wedding or do you think there's too much likelihood of trouble? Be honest and don't worry about upsetting me. I'd rather you were upfront with me now than have you spare my feelings and end up snubbed at the reception.

We had a healing clinic at the Department today. It was absolutely worth coming in early for. I'm glad they put on an extra clinic for the Department because I'd never have had time to get down to St. Mungo's.

[Warded to Charlotte Hart, Alastor Moody, and Rufus Scrimgeour]

This note is to follow up on a discussion I've already had with Auror Hart about the Keith Finnigan case about an unofficial press contact from Ashley Ketteridge of the Prophet. I thought he'd given up and gone away, but he got back to me this afternoon with a list of questions warded to me in my journal. In accordance with DMLE press policy and at the request of Auror Hart, I'm bringing this to your attention. For your information, the questions asked were:

( Wave your wand! )

I'm on duty tonight and would be happy to make myself available to discuss this matter if any of the three of you need me, either during my shift or immediately afterwards. I'll have my journal with me so you can take a look. Please advise.

[Warded to Rufus Scrimgeour]

I know it's policy not to answer any questions, and I won't. Still, I'm hacked off that anybody could think we take this case less seriously because they killed a Muggle, or that Auror Hart and her team have been anything less than fully professional. That's bullshit and if my saying so can do any good, I'll go on the record for that.