Order only: a windfall

[alt_sirius]

This morning I received an owl. It wasn't signed, didn't have anything to identify where it came from, but from the narrative I could figure out that it was sent by Theresa Spinnet.

I was a little surprised to hear from her - last I knew, she and Gary had had a little girl - but it sounds like she's had a rough time of it. When the ministry separated pureblood and muggleborn couples, Gary resisted and their daughter got caught in the crossfire. Terrie says she renounced him on the spot, but I gather the damage was done. It also sounds like she later regretted it, though I can't say I blame her, under the circumstances.

Anyway, the reason she wrote is, she's now working as an administrative assistant to the head of one of the camps. She wouldn't say which one, probably because it'd be too easy to find her if the letter had been intercepted. She says she came across a folder in his office with a Department of Mysteries stamp on. Frank, Bill, you know the one I mean: The stamp they put on communications to keep unauthorised personnel from reading or copying what's inside. I guess it took her weeks to work out how to get round the protections to access the file.

Well, she finally managed it not too long ago, and then was faced with the question of what to do with the information she'd found. Not that I disagree with her about not trusting the Ministry, the Prophet or even St Mungo's with the knowledge, but it's a little surprising that she thought of me after over ten years. I suppose she took a chance that an owl could make it through and find me. The poor creature is still fast asleep in my owl rest, by the way; it must have been journeying for a few days to get here.

The important thing is that we now have the proof we were looking for to link the Ministry to the epidemic. I'm writing up the details now; it should be out later today, if I can get it put together quickly enough.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Well, when it wakes up, I can try. I don't know, though, Kingsley. Her note reads like she was really frightened when she wrote, almost like she wished she didn't know what she'd learned. But you're right - that's too good a trick to pass up.

[alt_frank]

I'd be careful about sending the owl back. She might've had to steal it, and if it's going back into the camps, there's a fair chance it'll be intercepted. if it's traced back to her, you've lost your source. and if they find out that someone can get through department of mysteries stamp, that's also problematic because they'll change protocol so she won't be able to do it again. so if you do send one back, I'd keep it super simple -- message received, many thanks. and if you can mention the stamp in a real vague sort of way -- "the way you found out your news is very useful. I'd like to know more. how did you manage it?"

course you're a smart sort, you've probably figured on all that already, but it bears repeating for caution's sake.

that's good news though.

they were at Lily and James' wedding, weren't they? Al probably remembers them better.

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, I was thinking about that, myself. I'm not sure what she had to do to get at the information.

She was a chaser, too, but after your time.

[alt_poppy]

Oh, gracious! Frank's right.

I shouldn't think it a good idea to send that owl back to her. If she has escaped detection so far, it would be a terrible thing to bring suspicion down on her for her trouble!


Sirius. You are confident she can be trusted? What if this is not what it appears, this sudden windfall of information from a strange owl. After all, we know that almost every owl in the country is now in the Ministry's control. What if you are being baited? A test to see if an owl sent to someone they suspect is you will produce confirmation by way of a Grim Truth essay?

You've checked the bird for tracking spells?

[alt_sirius]

Yeah, I've checked him, at least as much as I can without waking the poor thing. Frank's also right that she appropriated the bird to send me the letter. She said as much.

There's always a possibility that she's been turned to the Ministry, but I'm certain it's Terrie, at any rate. And if what she told me is true, about little Alicia, then I can understand why she'd want the truth out.

Too many things about her story add up - the dates match Bill's analysis and things I remember seeing in the journals. Umbridge's, Malfoy's, even Scrimgeour's and old Bertram MacMillan's. If they're feeding me the truth to find me, they're taking a big risk of public embarrassment to do it.

[alt_poppy]

You are, of course, the one best placed to judge whether the letter is genuine based on its details. I take it she proved her identity by referring to things only she and you could know? I don't mean to pry or question your judgement, though I suspect it sounds that way, but I suppose I want a bit of reassurance because the more I consider this the more questions the circumstances raise.

I agree, however, that if her information is confirmed by outside sources--if it matches Bill's intelligence and lines up with dates and events mentioned by so many of those involved--that's a good sign. And I suppose that I'll concede at the very least that if they are feeding you this information themselves, the Ministry deserve whatever humiliation comes of having you publish it.

[alt_sirius]

Don't fret, Poppy, I'm not offended. Yes, she had privileged information. Even if people had found out the basics, like Moony did, there were some ... moments ... when no one else would have been able to observe us.

I could do something other than write a column, too, if you think that's better. I could easily copy out the pertinent information and send it back to St Mungo's. If we think they'd actually act on an anonymous tip. In fact, I might do that anyway - just to cover the bases. I don't necessarily know whether the Ministry will respond to public humiliation if it comes from my quill.

[alt_poppy]

To be honest, I rather relish the idea of the whole country reading this from your pen.


I agree, however, that it might be a good idea to copy and send the details to St Mungo's so they have an opportunity to evaluate the evidence themselves whether or not the Ministry bow to pressure and initiate fuller information sharing with the Research Healers themselves.

[alt_frank]

poppy's got a point -- as much as I'd like to hope that she's that good, she would have had to break DoM stamps without her wand, and commandeer an owl, all without raising an alarm. and that's pretty damn hard to do.

maybe they're trying to find out who your contacts are, try and do a sweep. sounds like something they'd do, plant false information and follow the paper trail. and if they know you and her were in school, they could be using her to try and get to you. I hate to say this, but it could extend to passing false intel to bill's people -- if they're trying to find a leak, this would be a pretty tempting story.

do you think she'd be capable? did the letter sound forced? other than her seeming nervous, did anything seem off?

if they are trying to track your connections, you'd head them off by printing it yourself -- although there'd be a chance you'd get mud on your face.

[alt_sirius]

I'm not convinced she got her wand snapped, Frank. Would the camps even let a blood traitor rise to become an assistant to the head administrator? Somehow I don't think so.

You're right, of course, that it could be a false trail, or even that she's working with them. But if I understand Bill correctly, his team's analysis was based on cross-checking the journals, not on intelligence that fell into our laps.

I don't know as we have a choice. I've sent the owl back with an anonymous note for the Head Healer at St Mungo's. We have to hope that it does some good.

As for being mates in school, that was all it was - mates. Even if someone forced their way into her mind with Legilimency, all they'll get is a bit of snog under the mistletoe. Once.

I dunno. We could drive ourselves round the twist analysing and fretting over whether this is real information or a trap. I think it makes too much sense to be deniable.

[alt_frank]

good points all.

I'd say there'd be a fairly small shot someone at st mungo's or the prophet would stick their neck out by running the story, but it's worth a chance.