Order Only: Hermione . . .

[alt_arthur]

I am so very sorry, my dear, to be forced to give you this news. Bill has received confirmation that your parents are alive, but they did indeed receive lycanthropic bites last night, at the Lord Protector's order.

I know it will not entirely take away your grief, but I hope it will lessen it a little if I tell you that Remus Lupin did everything he possibly could to at least mitigate the harm. When the Lord Protector decrees that someone is to be bitten, I must tell you that the usual procedure in these situations is that the prisoner is placed in a locked room with the werewolf, and in most cases, does not survive the night.

But Remus sent his raven with a note to a friend in the enclave begging them to use the 'mercy method' instead. I wasn't aware of this, but it is something that the werewolves do understand, and Remus' friend did as he asked. Your parents were placed in room with bars on the window, adjacent to the security pen. When the moon rose, their hands were forcibly extended through the bars by the guards. They deliberately chose their non-dominant hands, and so your parents were each bitten on the left hand only. It is extremely cruel, and we are all heartbroken, but if it hadn't been for Remus’ intervention, it might have been much, much worse.

I also want you to know that I've taken custody of your parents' personal effects that were left behind in the Ipswich camp, including their dental instruments. I had hoped that there might be a way to smuggle your parents out of Smythstone entirely, but it is clear that this will be impossible. They are clearly designated as prisoners who have earned the special enmity of the Lord Protector, and so they will be much too closely guarded. Perhaps, in time, we will find a way, but it may not be for a good long while.

I hope that I will be at least allowed to visit them in the next month or two, to return their possessions. Smythstone is one of the more established werewolf enclaves, and according to our informant, the people who live there are allowed to work and are treated relatively well. They will at least have enough to eat and will be decently housed.

Once again, Molly and I are so very sorry. Minerva, Poppy, take good care of our girl.

Frank, please thank Remus, for all of us. I am sure he will be greatly torn up over this, as you said. But I am glad that at least he acted to spare himself the grief and guilt of being forced himself to do such a dreadful thing, and we will always be grateful to him for doing what he could.

Comments

[alt_alice]

Arthur -- Thank you for letting all of us know.

I wish the outcome had been different, and that we'd been able to do more, but I'm glad that Remus's letter got through, and that he was able to do what he did.

I know it'll be very difficult to get the Grangers out of Smythstone right now, and possibly for a while, but I think we should keep an eye on the security at Smythstone and plan to get them out as soon as we reasonably can. I can't bear to think how close Hermione came to losing her parents altogether, and we should try and make plans so that she doesn't have to worry about them being used to punish her in the future.

[alt_frank]

damn. good to hear they're still alive. but still.

damn.

[alt_molly]

The 'usual procedure in these situations'? I had no idea that the Ministry used werewolf bites as a punishment.

Every time I think we've plumbed the full depths of the cruelty of this regime, another abyss opens up at our feet.

Hermione, I'm sending you a package to you, which I hope you'll be allowed to receive. Just a few small things: packages of tea, and a tin of biscuits, and a knitted cover to put over your pillow that I've charmed to give you dreamless sleep.

[alt_molly]

It seems so pitifully little under the circumstances, I know. But I hope you can accept it in the spirit in which it is given, as well as the comfort it's meant to bring you.

[alt_poppy]

Molly, I'm sure she knows you mean well, but I think it's all too much at the moment. I don't presume to speak for her, but it seemed to me this morning that it will take a while before Miss Granger is quite herself or able to really know what to say to all of us.

But she's doing as well as can be hoped, Molly, and I have real hopes that she will come through this.

[alt_molly]

I understand. I'm sending the package to Minerva's attention, and between the two of you, you can best judge when and whether to give it to her. I wouldn't be surprised in the least if the poor child shuts her journal entirely on the world for a good long while.

I'm sure I don't have to tell you to look after her with all possible care, Poppy. I know that you will.

Order Only

[alt_poppy]

We will see that she gets it right away, though I suppose there may be some strictures about what, if anything, the child will be allowed to carry with her to the Palace. I'm hopeful that young Marvolo will think to take her few things as though they were his own, but one oughtn't to pin too many hopes on the thoughtfulness of an eleven year old boy.

The most awful thing, Molly, is that I'm lucky to have been able to have seen her at all. While the Protector and clan Malfoy were on-site, it was entirely out of the question, and even now, it seems I took insufficient care this morning, as I was not only observed en route to check on Miss Granger, but my visit was commented on by one of the pupils in the journals. I'm waiting to hear what the consequences of that may be.

Re: Order Only

[alt_molly]

Perhaps if anyone asks, you were merely checking to make sure she hasn't contracted any kind of disease or other distress that she could in turn pass along to the Marvolo boy.

He did seem to express concern for her in his own journal entry. I hope he continues to treat her well.

[alt_molly]

Arthur is taking this all quite hard, too. He sat for a long time tonight with Ginny curled up in his lap, and I think he was very close to tears.

He feels just dreadfully, and I fear he blames himself, that we didn't foresee the danger, and were not able to locate them in time.

[alt_kingsley]

You did everything you could, Arthur. So did we all.

The Players are willing to lend their wands, if we can ever figure out a way to get them out of there.

[alt_sirius]

Merlin's beard.

I haven't the first idea what to say, except I want to talk to Remus as soon as possible. And I wish I could be there. I hate sitting about with no meaningful contribution.

Not that I could have done much in this case. But I could've gone in where you all can't, anyway, and maybe the wolves would've bit me instead.

Well, it's no use wishing for what can't be.

Sweet Circe, the poor kid.

[alt_kingsley]

Do you mean talking to him with an eye to letting him into the Order, then? I have to say, his actions in the past twenty-four hours makes me think we should consider it.

Frank, if you want, I could come to help with the interrogation. I have a hunch, though, that it might be better for you to talk to him alone, at least at first. He knows you and Alice best. But as to deciding whether to let him into the Order . . . do you think if we had Veritaserum, he'd agree to be questioned under it? (I don't even know if werewolves can safely take it.) I could maybe see if Mundungas can get his hands on some, if he agrees. Or could Stephen brew it, do you think?

[alt_alice]

Sirius and I were talking about that very thing a few weeks ago.

Veritaserum might be precious to get, and it may be hard to determine if it's working given his unique physiology. I know how important it is to be absolutely sure of his intent, and I don't want there to be any doubt at all afterwords.

Perhaps... Minerva? Do you still have a Pensieve? Would that be enough?

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, Kingsley, that's what I mean.

I know I've been one of the most vocal of us against it. But, well ... I can admit when I might be wrong.

Not convinced, mind - not until we can figure out what happened last time, and verify that he truly is on our side. Willing to listen, though, carefully.

Stephen ought to be able to brew it, but as Allie says, it doesn't work all that reliably on werewolves (that I know of).

I think Allie's idea of a Pensieve or if we can somehow arrange for me to talk to him via Floo, that's our best bet. I'm not having Minerva bring him into the Order before we've done that much, or something equal to it.

Order Only

[alt_poppy]

Arthur, I was able to see Miss Granger this morning, and I was relieved to find that she is physically sound. I confess I was very concerned that they might have injured her.

She did not wish to speak of what has happened, and that's understandable. But I'm more worried than ever about sending her off to spend the long vacation locked up in Buckingham Palace with that monster and his minions.

[alt_molly]

Arthur, I've not heard anything yet from Minerva about any of this trouble slopping over on Ron. You haven't heard anything at the Ministry, have you? I mean, has word spread of any tirades Lucius Malfoy might be having? Or are they keeping the entire affair hushed up?

[alt_sirius]

Molly, have a look in Harry's journal, especially what Miss Rabble-Rouser Parkinson has to say to your lad. Sounds as if Malfoy's threats are solely pointed towards our Hermione.

Small comfort, that, but it's something. At least we know that they've already done to her what they'd intended and no more.

What's become of Macnair in all this, I'd like to know.

[alt_arthur]

There's no word yet at the Ministry about what happened to Macnair or Quirrell. Plenty of horrified recommendations, but no definitive news yet.

[alt_molly]

That is a comfort, thanks.

[alt_arthur]

Well, they hardly could keep it a secret, Molly, given how publically the whole affair played out in the journals. Involving the Lord Protector's son, no less.

I take that back. I've not heard the definitive word about what happened to either Macnair or Quirrell. Their fate may remain a mystery. Perhaps Minerva will learn more.

I'm afraid that Hermione's actions have caused a flurry of meetings in the Muggleborn division, however, regarding wand security, etcetera. Many stupid speeches, but no policy changes to trouble us yet.

At any rate, if Ronald hasn't been called upon the carpet to explain himself yet, I think (I hope) he's in the clear. I'm sure Percy's telling him to keep his head down. (Not sure that Ron'll listen, but I'm sure that won't prevent Percy from trying.)