Order Only—Alecto's apartments

[alt_mcgonagall]

Poppy, I look forward to hearing from you when you reach the hospital wing. I shall keep you updated here.

These rooms are a sty. I do not believe house-elves have been allowed here in years. The stench is quite distinct.

Books are intermixed everywhere—on her desk, in shelves, stacked on the ground. This process will not be simple or short.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

What's Poppy doing to Alecto? Please tell me she's running some incredibly uncomfortable test.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Oh, I believe so.

[alt_poppy]

I'm sampling all bodily fluids, of course. Some are more delicate to extract; some demand testing in situ.

Your fervent hope should be to never require so thorough an examination.

[alt_poppy]

Minerva, Rabastan and I have her ensconced in my private examining area. I'm afraid that the full body bind continues to be absolutely necessary, and we've been forced to use rather strong muting charms to keep her from disrupting the entire ward.

Shall I send Rabastan back to you?

[alt_mcgonagall]

No—keep him with you. You may need his help if she breaks her bonds; but more than that, we must keep him out of here. Snape and I will find it easier to search if we can speak freely.

[alt_severus]

Has she made comment on any symptoms that might lead us to the source of her complaint?

[alt_poppy]

Nothing especially enlightening.

Chills and shakes.

I'm pressing now for whether Amycus dosed her with anything or attempted any other sort of treatments.

[alt_severus]

A rubbish heap indeed. I do not know what she thinks she is doing with some of these potions, but rat bones should not be an ingredient in any of them. I am tempted to pour them out.

[alt_severus]

The urine I am certainly pouring out, then scourgifying.

[alt_severus]

Although it occurs to me that she has been attempting to trace the source of the poison herself: there may be method in her madness, as she has saved nail and hair clippings as well.

[alt_poppy]

Are they dated? Collected in any way to preserve chronology?

[alt_severus]

No—although perhaps the piles are ordered in a way that she understands. They are in a row.

Asafoetida throughout the room. Disgusting.

[alt_poppy]

Speaking of piles and foul scents, I can't imagine how she can bear to sit.

More than you wish to know, perhaps. My apologies.

[alt_severus]

Merlin, woman.

[alt_gredforge]

Urgh.

Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_sirius]

And once again, I'm so glad I'm not in Snape's shoes.

Or Milland's, as the case may be.

Re: Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_poppy]

Don't envy mine.

My gloves, either.

Re: Private Message to Poppy Pomfrey

[alt_sirius]

Too right. Though I wouldn't say no to playing the Razzer's role in this escapade, this is one time I don't half mind being in the spectators' stands.

Reach in and think of England, Poppy.

[alt_poppy]

I've been pressing her for details of whatever treatment Amycus might have tried, since we know he was furious at the lack of care she'd received here.

She's not said anything of use, alas. Only that he has the skill to distract her from her suffering. Be glad you cannot hear the tone with which she speaks of it.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Well, that has torn it.

I shall photograph the rooms and we must leave it at that—though Severus has been collecting samples from each of the bottles. Then I shall send the house-elves through. It is unsanitary.

[alt_poppy]

Do it quickly, then.

Unless you want me to confund her and plant the suggestion that she ought to attend this mural unveiling before returning to her rooms.

I imagine in her current state, she'll make an impression on whichever of the governors attends. Possibly that would be useful?

[alt_mcgonagall]

Quite. That seems like an excellent idea. It shall give the house-elves time to work, as well.

[alt_sirius]

Why not?

The only issue I see is that if we can't find the poison and we can't get her to give up the secret, the Governors might fire her and then we'll lose her altogether.

Poppy.

I don't suppose you could convince her that letting you talk to Amycus is the answer?

[alt_poppy]

I wish I thought it likely that they'd sack her and send her packing. I doubt you need worry.

As for the other thought, I had it, as well. She didn't bite. Suggested I know how to use a journal as well as he.

[alt_gredforge]

You didn't find anything then?

Well, aside from all the rubbish. But anything to the point?

[alt_severus]

Nothing yet.

My analyses of her bodily fluids, as disgusting as they may be, will perhaps shed light, however.