ORDER ONLY - successful rendezvous

[alt_mcgonagall]

We have had a successful handoff. Secundus -- Charlie Weasley, that is -- brought dragon heartstrings to me in addition to the Ministry-sanctioned dragon's blood he was to deliver. He also had a cheering little visit with Quartus, Quintus, Sextus and Septima. It was an excellent excuse to have him come all the way to the castle, rather than sending for me and risking an unsecured chat.

Most significantly, he delivered to me the given names of several key figures who have come to the Sanctuary at the solstices. I have done a little research on my own, and I believe them to be members of the Department of Mysteries, though there is no proof. They are Yvaine and Philo. Assuming their names are still the ones they attended Hogwarts under, Philo must be Philo Marsh, a few years younger than I; he was a Ravenclaw. Yvaine I have not been able to find in the Book, and is perhaps a pseudonym -- or a middle name, which is not always listed.

I shall, of course, keep my eyes open for them in any Ministry records I come across -- but I think Secundus may be our best hope, as he may convince their tongues to slip next Solstice.

Comments

[alt_molly]

My goodness, he did it? He got you dragon heartstrings!? That's absolutely wonderful.

I wish I could have been there. It's been far too long since I've seen him. I hope one of the children will write to tell me about the visit.

[alt_bill]

Far less likely to happen, I'm afraid, since Percy's left school. He can be a prat sometimes, but at least he's a faithful correspondent.

Good on Charlie. How many dragon heartstrings did he manage to scrounge for you? How many wands do you think can be made with them?

[alt_mcgonagall]

Only two -- but dragons are big. I understand, however, that most of the outer casing is unusable. I would be shocked if four wands weren't possible; I don't know how much further they may be made to stretch.

[alt_sirius]

Well, that's a mercy but - Minerva, dragons? Really?

Harry's sent me an owl about it. Seems like he's more than a little concerned.

Don't worry; I'll help him along. Hermione, can he use the Slytherin common room fire if he waits up late enough?

[alt_severus]

I must also register my dismay, as much as I loathe agreeing with the hound. He cannot possibly be prepared for such a task. What, may I ask, are our plans to aid him?

[alt_sirius]

Dogs bite, Snape. Watch it.

But dragons we can handle.

He'll be prepared.

[alt_severus]

I do not suppose that any dragon's blood will find its way to my workshop.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I suppose a small amount might be diverted -- but it was legally brought for legal uses, Severus, and it is quite difficult to divert such ingredients. Poppy may have some better ideas, of course; she is its custodian for now, given that it was intended for medical use.

[alt_severus]

A dragon heartstring, of course, is extremely easy to divert.

[alt_alice]

Severus, keep in mind that we all know the uses towards which the dragon heartstring will be put.

If you were a bit more open about how you would use the dragon blood, how it would help us all, I'm sure it would make an excellent case as to why you need more.

[alt_sirius]

Point being that Minerva can't just hand off supplies that need to be in Poppy's inventory, and especially not with those inspectors coming.

We could perhaps get some fresh blood and harvest the cinnabaris but I don't think they're planning on harming the dragons, Allie.

Harming the champions may be another matter.

The other obvious challenge he doesn't mention being how to get him the stuff within hours of obtaining it. Cinnabaris doesn't have a long shelf life, just ask Poppy.

[alt_severus]

Do not speak of me as though I were not reading these entries.

[alt_severus]

I am hesitant to raise hopes.

We have a problem with widespread somnolence.

My research leads me to believe that dragon's blood shall be a key component of any Potions-based solution to this problem. Perhaps in a tincture.

[alt_alice]

Do you think it might be tied to the wards as well? Or is it just a coincidence that dragons are a key part of both?

I wonder.

Perhaps they'd be more likely to waken during a solstice?

[alt_sirius]

Is Charlie staying to look after the dragons during the challenge, then? If one of the champions actually manages to draw blood, d'you suppose you might warn him to try to capture some?

Doesn't answer how he'd pass it along but, maybe Poppy knows how to process the blood from there?

[alt_mcgonagall]

He is staying -- but I hardly know whether I will have a moment to meet him between, as I am not in charge of the creation of challenges themselves.

[alt_sirius]

But you wouldn't need to meet him. He'd just have to get anything he acquires to Poppy. I think. Maybe.

Pomona's still Head of Hufflepuff House and the other champion, Diggory, he's a Hufflepuff, right? So she'd have a reason to be nearby. Circe, Poppy herself, for that matter, though it's more likely she'd be occupied taking care of whomever gets scorched or clawed (which shan't be Harry, don't worry, I'll see to that!).

That's always assuming that there'll be some free-flowing dragon's blood available and that Poppy can prepare it for proper use.

Still. It's a thought.

[alt_sirius]

You know who else could be convinced to partake in a little opportunistic potions-ingredient acquisition?

Sluggy.

[alt_poppy]

Just reading this now, sorry.

But you are right. About Horace. That's a quite a brilliant suggestion, actually.

I'll have a chat with him about seeing if he can obtain some for the school's use, because it is true that there are ways of preparing it to extend its shelf life. Not for the Cinnabaris Vitalis potion, which requires an extremely fresh draw, but if it were quickly and correctly processed, it would retain its usefulness for a number of purposes. Including one or two I might mention to Horace as reasons for my wishing to have a bit more than I've been provided so far, and I suspect he will be able to think of several uses of his own.

I suppose, then, that it depends what, exactly, Severus proposes to do with it and whether he needs it warm from the beast or whether he could make use of a preserved sample.

[alt_alice]

That is fantastic news, Minerva. Mellisandra will be thrilled.