Arthur Weasley (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
alt_arthur) wrote2009-06-08 11:02 am
alt_arthur) wrote2009-06-08 11:02 am
Order Only: Hermione . . .
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.
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.
no subject
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?
no subject
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?
no subject
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.