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Order Only: Minerva's Possessions
Mar. 31st, 2015 10:30 pmWe have some news.
I should explain that last summer, Remus and I put out the word to some of our contacts that we wanted to find out what was to be done with Minerva's things. You may remember that her house and all its contents were placed at the disposal of the Ministry, so while those of you at school could go through her quarters, we couldn't retrieve anything from her London home. Apparently it was something of a conundrum for the Ministry as well, as they couldn't decide whether she should be branded traitor and all her assets retained for the state, or whether her will should be executed, or what. According to our informant, there was also a scuffle because her solicitor, Fox-Burton, wanted to rid himself of the responsibility when he thought it might get out that he'd represented a high-level member of the Order of the Phoenix.
Anyway, the sum of all this is that it's taken nine months, but it's finally been determined that her things will be sent to a public auction. It's during the Hogwarts Easter holidays, so students ought to be able to go, if we have to go that route. Our contact suggested breaking in to remove anything we might want. But Harry, I thought perhaps you might try your hand with the auction house and see if you could get yourself a private viewing of the contents of the estate before the public auction, on the excuse that there may be items you want to purchase outright without having to compete. I bet they'd rush to accommodate you.
I mean to say, if we had to, we could all go in disguises and bid on items until we get anything we need but I can think of far better uses for our resources. And if we did have to break in, it would only signal to the Ministry that there were items of note. Also, I wouldn't put it past them to have put tracing charms on the items until they're legally purchased (and even then, I expect we'll want to give everything a thorough once-over, just in case!).
The owl we received said that the auction will be in the Prophet soon, but I doubt very much anyone would question you learning about it before any official announcement, Harry.
With any luck, we'll find everything of hers that we're looking for--including that blasted plate--and we can ask Umbridge directly where she hid the diadem.
I should explain that last summer, Remus and I put out the word to some of our contacts that we wanted to find out what was to be done with Minerva's things. You may remember that her house and all its contents were placed at the disposal of the Ministry, so while those of you at school could go through her quarters, we couldn't retrieve anything from her London home. Apparently it was something of a conundrum for the Ministry as well, as they couldn't decide whether she should be branded traitor and all her assets retained for the state, or whether her will should be executed, or what. According to our informant, there was also a scuffle because her solicitor, Fox-Burton, wanted to rid himself of the responsibility when he thought it might get out that he'd represented a high-level member of the Order of the Phoenix.
Anyway, the sum of all this is that it's taken nine months, but it's finally been determined that her things will be sent to a public auction. It's during the Hogwarts Easter holidays, so students ought to be able to go, if we have to go that route. Our contact suggested breaking in to remove anything we might want. But Harry, I thought perhaps you might try your hand with the auction house and see if you could get yourself a private viewing of the contents of the estate before the public auction, on the excuse that there may be items you want to purchase outright without having to compete. I bet they'd rush to accommodate you.
I mean to say, if we had to, we could all go in disguises and bid on items until we get anything we need but I can think of far better uses for our resources. And if we did have to break in, it would only signal to the Ministry that there were items of note. Also, I wouldn't put it past them to have put tracing charms on the items until they're legally purchased (and even then, I expect we'll want to give everything a thorough once-over, just in case!).
The owl we received said that the auction will be in the Prophet soon, but I doubt very much anyone would question you learning about it before any official announcement, Harry.
With any luck, we'll find everything of hers that we're looking for--including that blasted plate--and we can ask Umbridge directly where she hid the diadem.
