ORDER ONLY: Children

[alt_mcgonagall]

We have a situation with regards to infants.

Lucius Malfoy had not asked for the book in ages. I didn't look at it. He asked me to view it after the next Governors' meeting, and I looked at it. There are six new names.

Baby Lee, Hampshire (Not named yet, apparently. Extremely unhelpful. Not even sex indicated.)
Honour Miliband, Kent
Robert Pigott, Lincolnshire
Michelle O'Neill, Devon
Bellatrix Peploe, Essex (One wonders about her parents - I suppose we will find out.)
William Somerville, also Devon.

I have no earthly idea how long they have been there - since last time I checked, some of them, perhaps.

I hid them all. Then I thought better of it: we can hardly save them all by the meeting-time, when Lucius sees the book, and if we fail to save one, they'll know I've falsified the book when the child begins to manifest their powers.

Merlin. A pretty puzzle.

Comments

[alt_frank]

we'll each go singly -- arthur, me, alice, kingsley, if sirius is available, we'll use him too.

it's only been a few months since we went after the last two, we still have time before they manifest -- I've never heard of it happening before eight months, so even if we're being careful, that gives us at least three more months to get all of them and we can do it in one if bill gets paperwork sorted out by then

give it a chance, minerva

how long before the meeting?

[alt_mcgonagall]

The meeting is next Thursday.

[alt_frank]

well you've got till then to make up your mind one way or the other

but as I said earlier, we've still got months to get all of them before manifestation becomes a problem. and if you name them, they'll notice if they go missing.

[alt_mcgonagall]

But if I don't, and they manifest, what defense could I possibly have?

You will pardon me for fearing for my neck.

[alt_sirius]

No, Frank's right. They don't track the deaths of muggle infants, do they? But once Malfoy knows whether they're magical or not, they'll be marked. And harder to reach.

I say erase them all. Let him think they're eradicating the anomalies and give us time to get to them all. I'm definitely up for it. I can even risk an owl to Terrie if she can help - none of these are in Hertfordshire but she's bound to have friends in the other camps who are sympathetic.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I suppose you're right.

[alt_frank]

yes. if we put all six on that book, there's no way in hell we're getting all six of them out.

I think they'd even notice if we put two on there as insurance, and both of 'em turned up 'deceased.'

if it comes down to it, and we do miss one, we could falsify the birth records so it looks like they were born after malfoy's appointment. a baby at six months and a baby at nine don't look too different.

[alt_mcgonagall]

They don't when they're malnourished, in any case - and these are sure to be.

[alt_poppy]

A week.

Well.

That might be time, mightn't it? And you needn't decide about the book until Thursday morning, surely.

[alt_frank]

we could reduce the gamble a good deal by going straight for the two in devon

and then prepare to go oldest to youngest

[alt_frank]

might not get all of them in a week, but we'd have a better shot of getting the rest in the time left if we get some out of the way right now

[alt_frank]

I know it's one hell of a risk for you, minerva.

you also know that I'm a stubborn bastard.

and this may be the stubborn bastard speaking, but I'm not going to let it get to the point where you will have to worry about taking the fall for this.

and this isn't like last year, because the camps will be a hell of a lot easier to get into than they were when everyone was getting sick.

[alt_alice]

Stephen has been told, and is assessing how much polyjuice we have at Moddey Dhoo, as well as starting a new batch in case we run low.

[alt_poppy]

I regret now that when Pomona and I travelled south last month, we delivered some of our latest batch to Remus. We were supposing that Sirius would be headed there soon.

Nonetheless, we have some on the shelf here, and Pomona volunteers that she could deliver it wherever it's wanted.

[alt_alice]

Good, Poppy. At this point we aren't in crisis, but it does take a while to brew, so if we do run low before the next batch is ready, we will let you know.

[alt_sirius]

I was there for a brief visit, Poppy, and restocked myself.

And I can leave tonight if necessary.

[alt_alice]

Easy, love. We can't do much right this minute. Once we have the paperwork, though, be prepared for all speed ahead.

[alt_sirius]

No, I don't mean that I've already got two paws out the door, Allie. Just that I'm ready whenever Bill is.

[alt_alice]

Well, good then!