McLaggen's a lost cause. It's Sandoval I'm interested in. She's in the programme with my backing; she interned with me and everyone knows it. You know as well, Barty, how few of these hopefuls I attach my name to. And how am I paid in return? "Not faring too badly" is not what I'm looking for. Nor are updates about Bubble and Squeak, singing ghosts, or cemetery dance-orgies.

If she's not standing out as the very best, and if she's not giving more than her all, then she's taken my association and flushed it down the loo.

Don't say a word, Barty, but I'll be dropping by for sparring next week. No special preparations, nothing beyond what's already planned. I'm sure that Miss Sandoval will find it simply "awesome."