2 November, 1981: Private Journal
The newspaper reports that He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named has fallen. He was somehow defeated by a small boy, the son of the Order's Lily and James. Incredible, difficult to believe, but apparently true.
Lily and James died in the encounter. Although it breaks my heart they are lost, that their son will never know his parents, I hope these are the last deaths to that horrible creature, the last child to know loss to this terrible war.
I am also hoping the downfall of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named means the war has truly ended and that I am able to bring Will home soon. I have even put the solicitor's preparations to sell the properties on hold. Even so, I am not allowing myself too much optimism yet. There has been no body found. I will wait for a bit, to make certain there is no more news of him, that he really is gone. It is hard to know the truth of what is happening when my only access to wizarding news is The Daily Prophet. I no longer hear Ministry inside information, now that Gideon-And Fabian. And Elliott.-are dead. So many deaths. So many damages. So many scars, both seen and unseen.
Arnold Peasgood stopped by-No. Apparated into-my office today. This was very risky, Apparating in with no knowledge of who might be there. Still, it was excusable. The man was apparently so very overworked and exhausted from the countless Obliviations he's been forced to do as a result of the fall. It seems celebrations are occurring everywhere, and countless Muggles are seeing things they should not.
Interestingly, one of the very Muggles who had to be Obliviated was Max. And-again, interestingly-it was Mr. Peasgood who was faced with this job.
According to Mr. Peasgood, nothing beyond the required Obliviation was performed. And I cannot even begin to say how extremely impressed and pleased I am. This is a man who willingly admits he has difficulty with his anger and pain, with controlling his impulses. He was so very outraged and humiliated by Max's unprofessional behavior in his session with him-and rightfully so-and was faced with an opportunity to exact revenge. He chose not to.
Mr. Peasgood struggles, but seems truly committed to improving his life and the choices he makes-some of this, no doubt, for the sake of the daughter who is soon to be here.
But speaking of Max, Mr. Peasgood informed me that he was in the presence of Elaine Chamberlain. This is the patient Mr. Peasgood had glimpsed in Max's mind, the one Max was seeing inappropriately. After Mr. Peasgood informed me of this, I confronted Max about it. At first he tried to convince me that Mr. Peasgood was lying. But finally he admitted he was seeing her. I should have reported him then, but he pleaded with me, admitted he had made a horrific mistake, claimed he had never done such a thing before, that he would guide her to a new therapist, cut all ties with her, that he would no longer see her in any capacity.
And now I find he has lied. He has continued his behavior. I have absolutely no choice but to report him.
Mr. Peasgood gave the patient, Elaine Chamberlain, my number. This afternoon, I found she had left a telephone message. I returned her call, and we have arranged an appointment for tomorrow.