Justin Finch-Fletchley

Rachel,

He's written again. You ought to see it.

I think....


I do believe he's going to try for Penzance. Tonight. This very moment, most likely.

Let me go. We'll not get another chance.

-F-F

Дедушка,

Barty killed half the periodicals reporters not currently employed by Albion, what, so one wonders: Do you miss all your gossip?

I can provide some.

Word on the street is that the Baddocks, father, son, wives and children, have fled New London. Jason Montague, as well, and his parents, and with him Finnigan--I say, you were something of a mentor to Finnigan, when Mr Rosier wasn't available, weren't you? You assisted him in killing his mother, at any rate.

Miss Weasley, whom you spent so long torturing into submission, has also chosen to run away, they say. She'd only just begun a promising career as a newsreader, what, but no one's heard her since her third day on the job.

I say, what could have caused her to leave so bally well suddenly? Could it be that your careful brainwash failed and faltered, without you there to keep reinforcing the lies? You Cruciated her until she would tell you anything you wanted to hear, and for nothing. Even that has failed. You've been singularly incapable of doing anything you set out to do, Антонин.

Где то́нко -- там и рвётся. Will that be you? Or, pardon one's saying it, but has it been you, all along?


Ips 192.6, by the way.

-Джастин

Dux,

I say, how are you feeling today? I wanted to stay but I felt I've shirked long enough, especially now that Madam P assures me you're past the worst of it.

So, as you know, I'm currently on assignment impersonating Cedric, trying to go to conspicuous places and attract attention. Luckily, his injuries make flying somewhat impractical, what. I'm bally well certain he could do anything necessary on a broom in a pinch, but my meagre skills would surely strike even the most casual observer as amateur.

However, looking like Cedric shouldn't preclude me from writing to Dolohov. Rachel's taken me up on my offer to draw him out, as you did Crouch. I thought I'd start by telling him the progress we're making at disabling his wards on the Headmaster's office. Perhaps indicate we're destroying volumes of his library. But I don't know how well that will lure him; after all, Hogwarts is still a seat of power for the Order and I very much doubt he'd come there on the strength of one or two taunts.

Whatever did you say to finally get Crouch to come after you? (And how did you take him, in the end? The last time I asked you, you weren't altogether comprehensible on the topic.)

-Justin

Антонин Николаевич, мой наставник в Темных искусств,

Sally-Anne tells me she's been chatting with you. That you said you're 'proud' of us for using our magic for a cause in which we believe, what, even if it's not what you believe.

She said you told her you would have exalted her if this were the society you thought you were building.

She also said you haven't answered her about where someone like her mother, a muggleborn, would fit in the world order you desired.

So, may one ask, now that you have no fear of being observed: Just what is it that you do believe? What sort of society you did you have in mind?

-F-F

Draco,

I say, old man, congratulations again to you and Hermione. It's been a long time coming. I'm glad she seems happy in the development--I know you are.

I'm sorry Hydra and I hadn't told anyone about our decision sooner. I'm sure I don't have to explain the reasons we kept it secret so long.

But our relative cross-cultural relationships, if you follow me, and some of the things Antonin has said and--done lately, what--have got me to thinking about some questions I think you might be well-positioned to answer. I hope you aren't offended, though: they are of a rather personal nature. I was wondering about...well, about your father, and whether his captivity among Muggles might be changing him. If it is, that is.

Have you ever had any impression from him that he might...be able to revise his position on blood purity? Or that his perspective has been broadened by helping us? I rather understand that he prefers only to think of himself as helping you to achieve the goal of removing Voldemort, what, but...has he ever given you any inkling that he could recant?

-Justin

Ron,

I say, it's a pleasant spring afternoon's work, what.

Still, I suppose one should enjoy it while's on offer. I don't expect I shall be pulled out of the office for this sort of thing when I'm ensconced in International Magic.

That is, if there still is a Department of International Magic, if we can't restore access to Dover's ports.

In any event, the reason I'm writing: Antonin thinks we should be ready for another assignment in about twenty minutes or so. Have you and Professor Desai any need of assistance?

-Justin

Professors,

The open area nearest the west train yard is completely overrun. The enemy have been issuing significant heavy arms fire but with very little effect on the inferi, as anticipated.

The Headmaster and I are rounding up the handful who have managed to make the tracks and we'll be bringing them back to the main rendezvous point in a moment. He's received word of our next position and requests you send someone here to monitor this escape route; it's little more than cleanup at this point.

Professor Desai, there's a curious rune stone near the postern gate to the meadow, which Professor Dolohov thinks you might find edifying. He's asked you to have a look when you've a moment.

-F-F

Antonin,

Your gift did indeed find its way to me at Ron's. Thank you very much; I'm sure they'll be jolly well useful. I shall have to research how to reset them after use, what. I do hope my little item gave you a laugh.

I say, it does seem we're in sore need of some laughs this holiday. The news of the Longbottom siblings' disappearance is well troubling. Our mates have been quite baffled by it all, what, trying to piece together what might have happened.

On a related note...I hope we shall have time to continue our sessions over the holidays. I'm back at the Ministry days, but Mr Pontner was most gracious about letting me take time to go with Ron to spar at MLE's facilities and he made it clear that any other such excursions related to my training with you would have no negative impact on my internship with IMR. As it seems we are beset with rot from within, as it were, I believe it imperative to prepare for any possibility.

Likewise, I've been thinking about the assistance I hope I provided this last week. No doubt you shall have need of a qualified clerk as soon as the new half term begins--and, if one may be so bold as to say it, I imagine you might be highly concerned about such an appointment. Were I part of a treasonous organisation, what, I should not lose the opportunity to put forward a candidate to assist you who is, in secret, working against the Protectorate. Put simply, you need someone you can trust, sir. Someone you already know is committed to this country and its future. I pray you to consider what service I might provide in that capacity.

Please do not think my forwardness derives from a desire for that payment which you generously offered last week. You're quite right that I must think of making my own way but that is the least of my concerns at present. I'm also aware, of course, that many matters crossing your desk pertain to my own classmates, and indeed, my own work--I can only say that you may rely on my discretion, of course, and I would naturally recuse myself from anything that I ought not to see ahead of others in my lessons. I should be much easier knowing that you are avoiding any opportunity for another traitor to insinuate him- or herself into your sanctum.

If you've already someone in mind, what, then naturally, I shall continue as we have done with the greatest pleasure. Only I do hope you will not hesitate to call on me whenever you have need.

Meanwhile, I hope you and Auror Crouch have managed to make the holiday as merry as can be expected under the circumstances. Thank you again for thinking of me--and for the rings. They're smashing.

Happy Christmas,

-Finch-Fletchley

Mrs Longbottom,

By now you ought to have received our report on the battle at Erewash. I say, I'm sorry it took so long for us to get it to you. We all of us took a number of invigoration potions to keep going, what, and it must be said that the combination of those and the restoratives have bally well played havoc with everyone's sleep patterns. Myself, I've been waking at about five, going straight back to the dormitories after lessons and napping until well after supper. I've just woken this evening and had to ask the elves for something to eat, what.

One of the elves said that the Fat Friar's just been in the kitchens asking them loads of questions about something in the soup today. I say, I'm not really quite sure what that's about.

In any event, we did finally all get our thoughts onto parchment, but I wanted to particularly call your attention to the end of the report. Sunday, Mr Rookwood from Mysteries came and interviewed us--with the Headmaster present, what--to ask about anything we might have noticed when Mr Dearborn was killed. Of course, that's not how he put it. He asked about the stones that exploded and the moment when those explosions triggered the fissure that swallowed Mr Dearborn, things of that nature. It's jolly well clear that they're researching our variant on the Fidelius.

It's also bally well evident from the Headmaster's actions that they've been told to watch for anyone casting a complicated or area-effect spell, what, and to target those individuals with extreme prejudice. If there are situations in future when the neo-Fidelius is warranted, then it will be necessary to provide the caster some sort of guard to keep him or her out of the line of fire.

As for Mr Rookwood, as I said, it was quite obvious early on that he was fishing for information, so we were all quite careful not to say anything that suggested we knew more than we ought to do. No one mentioned Mr Dearborn by name, for example, and no one recalled having referred to the Fidelius itself or the runes on the stones. We did have to confirm that there were runes, what, but it was simple enough to deny having had an unobstructed view of which runes they were. Neither he nor the Headmaster pushed too hard, what. It was most routine.

The one odd thing we all noted later was that Professor Dolohov seemed anxious not to leave any of us alone with Mr Rookwood. He interviewed us in the groups we'd been in during the battle, what, but talking about it afterward, it's distinctly likely that he was nervous of Mr Rookwood's conduct around us, not of what we might have said to him, if you follow me. Ms Brodie, have you any idea why Anton the Headmaster might worry about him? He is an Unspeakable but he didn't strike any of us as like that contemptible Strangeweale bloke, as if he were going to steal any of us away and lock us in his dungeons.

That's the lot of it, I think. Unless one of you remembers something else important enough to point out, what, in which case, please add it along!

I suppose it's too late to go to the salle, so perhaps I'll see how long I can read until I fall asleep again.

-Justin

Hullo, all,

I was just going down to the dormitories when an elf came and brought me a message from Antonin. I'm to dress and meet him for a field exercise.

The note said he'd make appropriate excuses for lessons tomorrow.

I've no idea why or what's going on, what, but if I'm not around tomorrow, it's likely to do with whatever--

Oh, I see, Auror Crouch sent him a message not half an hour ago. Well, it's likely to do with that, then.

-F-F