More tidbits on Stint, passed along by my source this morning, as well as dropped by Rosier in a conversation I had with him today. My, Poppy, your nemesis really does sound like an utter git.

About the Gala: Stint was tightlipped about it himself at first because he was, get this, literally tight-lipped. As in, Rabastan Lestrange got furiously hacked off at him and magically sealed his mouth shut. Over something Stint said about Aurora Sinistra, because when Stint managed to unstick his mouth ten days later, he was saying all sorts of vile things about her. Calling her a slut was the least of it. He's also supposed to be furious, now that their engagement has been announced.

Also, I'm chasing down rumours that Stint has a couple of very unhappy society witches among his patients who filed claims of dissatisfaction only to retract them suddenly and claim no knowledge of the matter when questioned by oversight board members following up. Which sounds downright dodgy to me. Maybe there's some dirt there we can use?

He's been more absent than usual this summer from St Mungo's, too. Which is also upsetting his coworkers. Whatever is absorbing his attention, it isn't his usual work.