Order Only - Miss Granger's punishment

[alt_mcgonagall]

As you may imagine, Miss Granger is not doing particularly well.

She has been punished with the Cruciatus curse; her ability to speak has been taken away for a week; and, furthermore, her journal is in Mr. Marvolo's care for that same week.

I am to ensure that he practises the Cruciatus on her regularly. I do not believe that I will be able to make him, though I must put on a show. He was quite clearly upset to have to punish her at all. Draco, too, is supposed to practise the Imperius curse on her -- although he is instructed merely to force her to write 'master' after every sentence, nothing more brutal.

I cannot believe that I find that to not be brutal. There are some days when I feel a thousand years old.

This morning I received a message from the Lord Protector: 'have you straightened him out yet?' 'No,' I wrote back, 'but I am endeavoring to do so.' He responded: 'do not fail.'

How can I straighten Harry Marvolo out? Miss Granger, forgive me. I don't know what I will be forced to order him to do.

Comments

[alt_poppy]

I take it that she was suffering rather badly last evening. Enough that it inspired one of the Marvolo's classmates to feign a need to see me in order to procure a palliative to ease the after effects of Cruciatus.

I don't know whether it has anything to do with Miss Granger's presence there or, for that matter, with Mr Marvolo's idiosyncrasies and peculiar rebellions, but I have seen some hopeful signs in that unlikeliest of Houses. Prime amongst the outliers there is Miss Perks, who has on more than one occasion risked my piecing together her connection not only with Miss Granger but also with Mr Boot.

[alt_hermione]

I'm all right, I mean Harry snuck my journal back to me, he doesn't know I can use it. But I can in an emergency.

[alt_sirius]

I think we should consider whether it'd be safe to let Harry know that you're not the Death Eater he thinks you are.

And if not, then Minerva, perhaps your lessons should be more about hiding one's true sentiments and behaving one way in public and another privately.

What about occlumency? It can be learned, can't it? Perhaps it's time someone starts teaching him that?

[alt_mcgonagall]

We haven't an Occlumens who knows what they're doing on staff, Sirius -- and in any case I don't think I dare tell him. Perhaps Hermione would know better; but still, even if we can trust him to not wish to sell us out (which I do not know if we can) he is so close to the Lord Protector and a single slip --!

[alt_sirius]

Well, he's not told anyone about his part in things last June. Or that he's been in contact with me.

I think you're underestimating him but you're right that we can't afford for him to slip.

Could you strongly hint that there are ways to protect himself from anyone trying to pry into his thoughts? And perhaps Hermione could take it from there?

[alt_hermione]

I can't until this hex is off of me.

But I will tell him.

[alt_sirius]

Thanks, kiddo.

Hang in there, okay?

[alt_severus]

Ah.

A way in which I might be able to help.

Minerva, you are being extremely frustrating. I am more than capable of brewing enough Polyjuice Potion to safely infiltrate Hogwarts.

[alt_mcgonagall]

But have we enough ingredients? and have you any capability whatsoever to impersonate someone? To be quite honest, Severus, I have never taken you for an actor -- could you be gregarious? Polite? Kind and friendly to small animals?

[alt_severus]

I have enough for the year.

I find small animals better companions than humans, generally speaking, so I should not have any problem being kind to them.

[alt_mcgonagall]

No, Severus, and that is an order!

[alt_severus]

What a pity that you are in no position to give me orders.

[alt_bill]

Actually, she does. She's the head of the Order. And if you want to be part of the Order, you have to do what she says.

[alt_alice]

I think that Severus does make for a valid point, Minerva.

It's at least worth considering.

[alt_sirius]

What do you mean infiltrate Hogwarts?

And I'm not sure how you think you can teach Harry without telling him you're in disguise or how that's any less dangerous than Minerva telling him she's not really loyal.

It's a colossally bad idea.

[alt_poppy]

Inflitrate Hogwarts?!

[alt_macnair]

I haven't kept the closest eye on goings-on at Hogwarts, but I've gathered that Raz Lestrange is still there, over-seeing the Marvolo kid's personal security.

He's not a mate or even acquaintance of Milland's, is he?

He's a friendly sort, always was, but not someone easily fooled.