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_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.