Order only: Evening Prophet

[alt_sirius]

Well, there it is: Ministry Puts Stop to Questionable Practice; Corruption at Clinics

Looks like there were about six of them raided, as well as another four that were investigated with 'no findings of wrongdoing' according to the article.

Bad luck, Poppy: Eosphorous wasn't one of the ones owned by this Smethley chap, but at least it's agreed to close its doors, so the papers say.

Not a word about Malfoy, of course, though there's a rather ominous quote from a Mr Sebastian Maule, to the effect that 'Certain people in high places can't stand another man's success.'

Meanwhile, Dora and I have been talking and we're fairly sure we can convert the flats to either side of the garden into tidy little compartments for muggleborn to hide, if we can figure out how to let them know it's safe to hide there. Still not sure where they could go from there. Don't suppose we'd be able to restore the Vale of Glamorgan, or that it'd be safe even if we did. But perhaps there's somewhere else along the coast, where a bit of land could go unnoticed. Their own private Moddey Dhoo, eh?

As for wands. I went round Ollivander's today. Padfoot did, I should say. Merlin, I hadn't realised the protections on the place. I don't see how anyone can get in after-hours. Arthur, was that a Ministry bloke I saw in the shop, taking down the precise measurements of each wand as it's made and then filling in the names of the buyers? Stone me. Harder than I thought.

Oh, and Arthur, Bill: I've another favour to ask. Our contact, Terrie Taylor, up in Stevenage. She needs a new job. Any ideas? I think if we approach her the right way about it, she may still be able to help us on occasion - but bear in mind that she's got no desire to swear in to the Order. And I don't think it'd be a very good idea, in any case. But I don't think she'll be able to stay in her current position for much longer. It's a bit complicated. Just ... if you hear about anything, or can think of anything, let me know?

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Sorry to just be getting back to you now, Poppy. Saturday night, you know: Dora's little beer garden is only just quieting down for the evening.

The north would certainly be less inhabited, it's true. I wonder if we could set them up on the eastern coastline, along the North Sea; it's possible that with a little work on Aleks's part, we could pass them through to Norway or the Netherlands when the wards drop at the solstice. Not in December, obviously, but next summer, perhaps.

You don't suppose we'd be able to transport them all the way to Stromness, do you? It'd certainly be out of the way.

[alt_poppy]

Sounds as if that beer garden is becoming quite a success. I mean to pay a visit before the summer's out--use some of my own polyjuice for a change.

We could certainly look into northern points for a summer transfer if you think Aleks could arrange it next June.

And, of course, we can transport them wherever we choose. That is what side-along Apparition is for, isn't it? People-smuggling. I'm sure that's entirely what Philonius Farquhar had in mind when he developed the technique. It will require planning and personnel, mind you, and I'm not saying it would be easy. It would require quite a network of intermediate stops, but it could be done, absolutely.

[alt_sirius]

Ugh, I don't know what would be worse: All the Apparating, or all the ginger it would take to be able to do the Apparating.

I've been thinking more and more about adequate safehouses along the route, though. Mrs Langworthy, she's a game one. There have to be more like her out there.

With the right number of places we could move people up the coast with a few portkeys, or by Floo, even. Or just on broomback, at night.

[alt_poppy]

Thankfully we are not all affected as you are.

I think that Pomona's sister-in-law might could be approached. We've been talking about Tilda in this way for some time. She is a good sort and is willing to refrain from asking questions when it's clear she ought not to. Pomona believes we could trust her further than that with our secrets, but I think it better to take things in stages for her safety as much as our own.

[alt_poppy]

And, of course, if we make judicious choices about places to create safe houses and secret enclaves, we could go ahead even without sorting unplottability. Sherwood are making a go of it. But what happened to the Vale of Glamorgan is a caution. Will always be a risk.

I do wish we knew how they came under MLE's scrutiny. Whether it was the son who spilled the beans in exchange for his Quidditch dreams or whether MLE came to that information by some other avenue. I know that it doesn't do to dwell on these matters, but I can't help thinking that we have increased our own vulnerability of late. One misstep or accident for one of us would bring us all into question.