Order Only: Strangeweale and the Mulcibers

[alt_sirius]

Moony, Dora, I'll be home as soon as I can leave; I'm okay, just let me explain.

I went round to Strangeweale's house this afternoon (as you know). It didn't take long for his servant to entice Padfoot inside, since it was a cold, wet evening. I'd planned to see if I could get him complaining again, maybe get more information on the machines or where Strangeweale's holding his prisoners.

My hope was to be able to send one of us round to see him - or better yet, to change into myself right in front of him and offer him the chance to get away from Strangeweale. But before he started up a one-sided conversation, both Mulciber brothers came calling.

He told his furry guest to stay in the kitchen quietly while he went to see to the visitors. Next thing I knew, he dashed off a message to his master and Strangeweale himself came home not five minutes afterward. (They spent that five minutes disagreeing over which tactic to use with him: Corax wanted to ambush the man in his own home and Cadmus thought they could buy his cooperation. In the end they decided that they'd try to make him see the advantages of forming an alliance.)

From where I was in the kitchen with the Muggleborn (I learned later his name is Timothy), I could hear fairly well.

Cadmus Mulciber claims that the potion Strangeweale provided to him, which accounts for his improved health and apparently superabundant magic, is 'wearing off' and he wants more.

Strangeweale told him that he shouldn't need any more - and anyway, that what he has been able to store is for 'Our Lord Protector.'

Corax wanted to know exactly how the potion's made. Strangeweale was cagey about answering, but that's right about when he began to see the light. He told the Mulcibers that he needs a ready supply of muggleborns.

He told them a good deal more about his 'production line,' which I won't go into right now. But they came to a sort of deal: Corax Mulciber will find a way to get him 'more supply' and also use their influence to throw more funding his way in Mysteries' budget. In return Strangeweale will be setting aside more potion for both Cadmus and Corax.

It all makes me wish I'd changed back to a human before they arrived so I could have launched a surprise attack.

As it is, Timothy made his furry friend go into the root cellar so his master won't know there's an unauthorised dinner guest. I don't want to Disapparate away when he doesn't know there's anything special about the dog he's been hosting. So I'll have to wait until he comes back and I can convince him I need to go outdoors.

Comments

[alt_lupin]

So that potion that brought Cadmus Mulciber back from near death was Strangeweale's?

Fuck I'd hoped it was Cinnibaris.

[alt_sirius]

Cinnibaris wouldn't account for his magic being so powerful, though, would it have? Maybe Poppy could tell us, I'm not sure.

But no, it was Strangeweale. And now he's in bed with the Mulciber boys.

[alt_lupin]

It wouldn't, no. I'd hoped that was just rumours. Or something else.

Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

Please tell me you don't mean that last bit literally.

Re: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_sirius]

Sod it, Moony. Dogs are not supposed to be able to laugh.

[alt_lupin]

Where does he think they'll be getting more muggleborns? There's already a shortage, or so we've heard. No doubt because of Strangeweale.

[alt_terry]

I want to know that, too.

Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_terry]

The part you're leaving out ... why did you leave it out?

I'm coming up with a guess that's making me want to spew.

Re: Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_sirius]

Then you're probably not too far off.

Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

Actually, hold on.

He TOLD them about his 'production line.' You mean the muggleborn girls he's already got.

I probably don't want to know, do I? What did you overhear?

Re: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_sirius]

Yes, the girls he already has. And a few young men, too. He was actually proud of his 'solution' to the shortage, which is essentially to put the muggleborn males to stud with the young women. But he said that the problem is it takes 'so long' for the females to bear, and then of course, there's a chance the baby will not be magical.

I have a feeling they might try to obtain even more of the ready supply of muggleborns. Possibly even recall those in service currently.

Only not Timothy. (Corax taunted him about that: 'Why not start with your own slave?' He told him that Timothy's been taking potions for years that have chemically castrated him. It was all I could do not to leap into the sitting room and tear his throat out. As it was, I think I did probably growl out loud a bit.)

Re: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

Did you overhear -- do the babies have to show their magic, at least, or maybe even grow into young children, before he can use them?

Did you hear anything that would tell us how long we have?

Re: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_sirius]

They have to show their magic before they can be used.

He mentioned that using a non-magical 'specimen' was what went 'wrong' with Rookwood.

I hadn't realised anything had gone wrong with Rookwood but that's what he said.

Re: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

Well, that's good news of a sort.

If they have to show their magic first, that buys them some time. Plenty of wizard children don't show their magic until well into childhood.

Re: Private message to Padfoot

[alt_lupin]

And recalling servants, ugh. How quickly are we likely to hear about that? We can tell Bill to keep an ear out, at least. I don't know how we'll get on without Ellie, but we can't risk them taking her. If she goes to Moddey soon, we can report her as a runaway, and it won't be obvious we were keeping her out of Strangeweale's hands.

You don't think they'll try to take Hermione away from Harry, do you?

Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_sally_anne]

When you say 'production line' do you mean the muggleborn girls? We were right that he's trying to make muggleborn babies on purpose?

Re: Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_sirius]

Yes.

The thing is that he speaks about the entire process as if it's no different to breeding horses or pet show dogs. He's reduced it in his mind so that he doesn't think of them like human beings at all.

I didn't want to upset everyone by stating it so baldly, though, so if you'd let others figure it out on their own, or decide they don't want to know, I'd appreciate it.

Re: Private message to Sirius Black

[alt_sally_anne]

Well I won't POINT IT OUT to anyone. But I hope you're not telling yourself that Hermione won't work it out.

Anyway I think the person who's really going to freak out is Mrs Weasley

[alt_alice]

We've got to contain this, and soon.

The more people who know about this, the more dangerous it is -- because it means they might continue to try and experiment with his ideas even if Strangeweale himself is taken out of the picture. Any plans we do end up making will have to consider destroying the machine and his notes, to prevent others from trying to pick up where he left off. Especially if they're significantly motivated and powerful, like the Mulcibers.

I'd also rather cut Strangeweale off at the knees before he has much of a chance to expand his efforts any further. Those black wands are trouble enough now as it is.

[alt_bill]

Bloody hell.

This, if anything, makes it worthwhile for me to be working for the sodding prick. It'll be an honour and a privilege to thwart him. As I will do my utmost to do.

(Yeah, I know; language, Mum. Sorry. But not much.)

[alt_molly]

I keep thinking of Arthur Tanisbee, the baby we thought might possibly be Arthur's namesake. I want so desperately to rescue him... if he isn't dead already for the sake of that wretched Cadmus Mulciber.

They didn't give any hint where the babies or their mothers might be kept?

[alt_sirius]

No, not yet. But I'll be back. As I said, Timothy doesn't seem to care for his master at all. It should be a simple matter to convince him to work with us.