Order Only: A puzzle in Hampshire

[alt_arthur]

I took note of Minerva's curious assertion that the Hogwarts Book seems to be unable to make up its mind between two names (Francis Lee and James Lee) for the muggleborn baby which has recently been born in Hampshire. I spent yesterday afternoon combing the district's birth records, and in the census of the camp in Winchester I found what might be a clue: the birth of twin boys three months ago: Francis Xiang Lee and James Xiabo Lee. I am perplexed as to what the wavering between the two names might mean. Could one be muggleborn and the other a muggle? I suppose such a thing must be possible. Yet why is it that the book cannot pinpoint which boy has the magical ability?

Frank, I think we should check it out, but I am entirely uncertain as to which new boy will be coming home to Moddey Dhoo, assuming we can persuade the parents. Bill has the identification ready for us. When can you make the run with me to go speak with them? I am open for the rest of the week.

Comments

[alt_molly]

The thought of separating twins is really rather horrible to me.

[alt_arthur]

I must admit I don't quite like the idea myself. The thought of Fred without George or vice versa is almost unfathomable.

[alt_molly]

Must it really be done?

[alt_arthur]

Well, we have no idea what this means, Molly. The more I think on it, the stranger it seems. But perhaps things will become clear once we've spoken with the parents.

[alt_bill]

Perhaps it might be easier, in a way. Less painful for the parents, if they still have a child, even though one leaves for Moddey Dhoo.

[alt_molly]

Well! It's obvious you're not a mother, Bill. I can't see why having one twin would make giving up the other any less painful.

[alt_bill]

I bow to your greater experience, Mum.

[alt_frank]

that's a bit of a mess. is there a spell to figure that sort of thing out once we get there?

let's go any road, see what we can find out. I'm free tomorrow, the sooner we get it sorted the better.

[alt_arthur]

I'll meet you at 8:00 at the rendezvous point. We'll just have to play it by ear.

[alt_frank]

right, man. see you then.

[alt_kingsley]

It's the very fact that there isn't a spell to determine whether someone's magical or not that makes the Book so important in the first place.

Very strange. Good luck figuring out whatever the problem is.

[alt_frank]

we could always let them gum one of our wands until it shoots sparks but that could take a while.

[alt_sirius]

Assuming you two straighten this out, how many does that leave? Two more? Honour and Bellatrix, right?

[alt_poppy]

Honour and Bellatrix!

Now there's a pair of words not generally put together in one sentence.

[alt_sirius]

Too right. Arthur's got a point that little Bella's parents may not be amenable to our solution, depending on their reasons for naming her that.

[alt_bill]

Maybe the parents are rabid astronomers, and the similarity of the name to Bellatrix Lestrange is a sheer coincidence.

But somehow I doubt it.