Order Only: We have a situation here

[alt_arthur]

Frank and I arrived at Maldon to speak with Bellatrix Peploe's parents, and I'm afraid things went downhill quite rapidly. As in, Frank has both parents in a petrificus totalus and is continuing to plead with them while I'm writing this.

I think it's quite safe to say they didn't pick the name `Bellatrix' because they're interested in astronomy.

They support the regime 1000%. We've seen all sorts of reactions when telling parents that their child has magic, but this one we've never witnessed before. When informed that Bellatrix was a witch, the father astounded us by immediately attacking his wife. In fact, he tried to choke the life out of her, all the while yelling that she must have been the one to 'steal the magic.' We were so surprised that we fumbled with our wands for a moment before blasting them apart, but fortunately we stopped him before he managed to crush her larynx.

Our usual script, of course, is completely out the window at this point. They aren't going to give us permission to take her. In fact, I'm afraid that unless we separate the father and the mother (by which I mean I'll have to arrange to have them assigned to different work camps), he'll just attack her again once we're out of sight--unless we memory charm them to forget our visit altogether. But if we leave the baby with them, little Bellatrix is doomed to be outed as a mudblood eventually. If I send off the mother by herself with the baby, what's to prevent her from hurting the child, once Bellatrix's magic manifests? And if we don't bring her to Moddey Dhoo, what do we do about the Book?

Frank is arguing privately to me that we have to take the baby and memory charm the parents so they think she has died.

Can anyone come up with a better idea?

Comments

[alt_molly]

But Arthur, if we take the child without the parents' permission, that's kidnapping. And think of their anguish, because they will think their child died! And they'll never see her again, never know what happened to her!

[alt_arthur]

Well, I know that, Molly. Obviously.

[alt_kingsley]

Do you think it's better to have her taken away from them in four years or so and made into a slave?

[alt_molly]

Of course not, but...

Oh, this is dreadful!

[alt_arthur]

Yes it is, but we don't have the luxury of a lot of time to figure it out. We only have so much polyjuice.

[alt_bill]

Is Frank making any headway in arguing with them, Dad?

[alt_poppy]

A great deal could happen in those four years, Kingsley. None of us can see the future. In the present, however, you are encouraging Frank and Arthur to play a part not far removed from the worst abuses this regime commits. And to act that part against a couple who are already victims many times over of abuse by wizards.

[alt_kingsley]

Well, of course a great deal could happen in four years. The kid could die of typhoid or cholera, along with both of her parents. The camps could be liberated by an army sent from France, Morocco and Brazil. A dragon could escape and flame them all into cinders. Lucius Malfoy could get bored one night and personally butcher every one of them.

What Frank and Arthur have to decide is right here, right now.

I think the ethical thing to do is to take her.

[alt_poppy]

Yes, and the child could die of typhoid or cholera at Moddey Dhoo.

You are telling us to play gods with the lives of these people. I still say that if you cannot persuade the parents to give permission, you've no right to force your will upon them.

[alt_arthur]

Hermione's made the decision for us, Poppy. We're not going to leave her with the risk of being killed by her own parents, and if she survives that, a life as a slave.

[alt_poppy]

I quite agree, Molly.

On top of that, it's no small matter to memory charm two people to selectively forget or re-remember several months of their lived experience. That sort of obliviation is not merely a matter of a quick swish and flick, is it?

[alt_arthur]

Well, then you'd better hope for all of us that we do a bloody good job.

[alt_bill]

I have some Firewhiskey at my flat, Dad, if you want to stop by after work.

[alt_arthur]

Thank you, son. Although I will have to go home and face your mother eventually.