[Letter from Ludo Bagman, Department of Magical Games and Sports, to A. Dumbledore, reconstructed from Pensieve memory 24.7.91. The Pensieve memory depicts Dumbledore attaching the letter to a memo to M. McGonagall along with the handwritten message, ‘Destroy after reading.’]
23 July 1991
Department of Magical Games and Sports
London, England
Dear Professor,
I hope this finds you well.
I am writing in hopes that you will reconsider your recent decision to end the Puddlemere Pipeline Program that we have worked so hard to put together this last year. As you know, the English League’s success is contingent on your support over at Hogwarts, and Puddlemere is nothing but supportive of your plans for your upcoming 1st year. Scroggins over at Puddlemere is ready to support your recruit through his amateur years on the Gryffindor team, and the whole Puddlemere team will be rehearsed for receiving him into the fold upon his graduating. He’ll have a sure path to All England, if we go through with the Program, which I am sure will be advantageous both to you, and to the DMGS.
I was surprised and a little bit shocked to learn that the Program had been cancelled on your end this year, especially giving your upcoming 1st-year class. Remember that you told me about how important it is that your 1st year will be known to every boy, girl and adult in Britain. What better way to do so than through our favourite sport, Quidditch? When you reconsider, I’m sure you will see that it will help us both out to have done so.
Please remember that without your support over at Hogwarts that the English League is without the help it needs to succeed. Quidditch is an important part of our culture as a British wizarding community, and continued support from the Ministry, as well as from Hogwarts is essential for continuing our Quidditch traditions within the English League. Our teams are more and more dependent on international players – support from Hogwarts is what keeps English Quidditch an English game. Don’t make me work even more with Barty Crouch than I already do! Ha ha. We need your student’s support, as well as yours to continue the good work we do for our community. If we cannot have your particular student, we will need someone else in order that we can continue our support for Hogwarts Quidditch. I do not mean these things as a threat of course, but, rather that without Hogwarts support for the English League the English League cannot continue to exist. I know of course that you understand this. Position of course does not matter, we will accept all Hogwarts players who respect sportsmanship and England (though of course Seekers are always preferred).
I know you will reconsider this issue, and as you know I am always available for further conversation, and/or questions/comments.
Sincerely,
Ludo Bagman
Minister, Department of Games and Sports
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