Privately, Balthazar was glad to hear it. While the wizard bore Lucius Lestrange a grudging respect and bore Mrs. Belphoebe Lestrange no ill-will, young Tiberius Lestrange had always had something of the wolf in him—speaking, of course, metaphorically, not literally as was the case with his own daughter. Such a hunger could be dangerous, with all the secrets the Department of Mysteries had to offer.

"Let us begin with an overview of added or relocated personnel," Balt answered practically, "as I have little desire to gather the whole department for my return."

While he was happy enough to be back in the Ministry of Magic, the wizard was still rather shy about being placed front and center for much of anything. The Prophet's article on his appointment had been a shock only in that it had not led to some intrepid reporter camping out in his back garden.