ORDER ONLY

[alt_frank]

poppy, pomona, min, what's the word on carrow?

we've got a window here, and it'll close soon if we don't do something. I'm okay with getting my hands dirty on this one. more than okay. if I can get her alone for an hour even, it's worth a shot.

Comments

[alt_poppy]

Merlin's boots.

I've had the wrong end of the Skrewt this morning, priority-wise. Though, that said, I don't know what to suggest. We can hardly let you in here to-- do what? I think we'll have to try to get it out of her ourselves. Minerva?

[alt_sirius]

Agreed, Frank. I was just thinking that it might be worth a little jaunt.

Maybe to Lincoln? She can't Apparate directly into the castle, can she, with all the protections Carrow's got on it, surely?

We might be able to stake out the main gate.

Or do you reckon Hogsmeade's a surer bet, when she leaves the school for the Apparation point?

[alt_poppy]

I sincerely doubt that Alecto is capable of apparition in her current state. Let alone capable of walking to Hogsmeade. I wonder if we could jigger with the Floo to send her direct to you instead of to Lincoln.

[alt_frank]

worth a try. could we hook it up to grimmauld, I wonder?

[alt_frank]

how hard would it be to let us slip in to hogwarts, poppy?

when we're done, we'd make sure she wouldn't remember.

[alt_pomona]

From my view, tricky. We've had people coming and going to dismantle the maze (that's where I've been all day).

We've the 3rd years waiting for the CCF trials, and their various examiners arriving tomorrow. I believe they're mostly staying in Hogsmeade, but that just means they'll be back and forth across the grounds more often.

Some of the staff's gone already, but the rest are highly unpredictable.

I was up early this morning to harvest in the dawn, and ran into Aurora out for a walk, for one thing, and that's not a time of day one ever expects to see her. Rolanda's nearly worse: I've seen her around at all hours, and in places I'd not have thought to, though she's had a reason each time.

[alt_frank]

right.

so if she's flooing, would it be straight to the castle from hogwarts? do they have a direct link-up?

[alt_pomona]

Truly, I've no idea. You've no idea how complicated this castle is, even things you'd think would be obvious like the floo connections.

Clearly, hers is at least turned on, or was over the Easter hols. But whether she'll use it, or whether it'll open to Lincoln, or whether she only uses it for chat rather than transport, I've not the slightest.

The one in my office will handle both. I know Aurora has entirely shut down the one in her rooms, but leaves her office one open for firecalls only. I remember Bathsheba mentioning hers is entirely the other way round. And that's before one gets into any other security measures, such as limiting who can use the thing.

It's been an age since I last made much in the way of adjustments to mine - what, four caretakers ago? - but I seem to remember there were also some floo locations that were trivial to open a connection to, and some that were much more complicated.

I do agree with Poppy that I can't imagine her making it to the apparition point under her own power. I can't imagine her brother coming to collect her, I suppose but you're right, she must have some plan.

[alt_frank]

if there are examiners, might make it easier, actually. non-staff wandering about wouldn't raise as many eyebrows.

and if she's flooing from hogwarts direct, she doesn't have a reason to leave the grounds. so we'd have to come to her.

Private Message to Frank Longbottom and Sirius Black

[alt_poppy]

Speaking of 'conditions', I'm not sure Minerva will even see this. We may be forced to make a decision without her.

Re: Private Message to Frank Longbottom and Sirius Black

[alt_frank]

right.

I'd rather get yelled at later than not try anything.

Private Message to Sirius Black

[alt_frank]

she's in a poor state.

and if an accident were to happen while we were asking some questions

let's just say I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. and it'd be a sure way to get the castle to show.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black

[alt_sirius]

True enough. Though cancelling the Fidelius on Lincoln doesn't change whatever spells Carrow's put on Terry to keep him tethered like a dog on a leash.

Still, it's one of the necessary steps.

I say we meet up there. Tomorrow? Hagrid would hide us and Poppy and Pomona could run interference to help us get through any extra security.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black

[alt_frank]

it'd be good to catch up a bit with Hagrid, any road.

you apparating in? if so, we'd better make it an early morning so you can be on top of things.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black

[alt_sirius]

Not enough time to get there any other way.

I've talked it over with Remus. Honestly I think he's a little envious that we're going.

I'll have to make sure he gets the next dangerous mission.

Re: Private Message to Sirius Black

[alt_frank]

we'll have to be prepared to head to lincoln once we've sorted things out one way or the other. right away. once the wards drop, there'll be a lot of confusion, and I think we'll have a chance. and if we're going to do it this way, we'd better be ready to go all out. if you think you'll be a liability at lincoln, two apparations in one day, we can have remus on standby just in case.

might be tricky -- I think our best bet is subduing Carrow and taking him along with us while we figure out how to break terry away. even though his neck is the one I'd much rather wrap my hands around, killing him might up and kill terry.

and dursley too -- we'll have to make sure we grab him.

Private Message to Frank

[alt_alice]

I can read between the lines, love.

I know you've held off for a good long time, but are you sure this is what's best? For the Order? For Minerva? She's under so much pressure, and if something were to happen to Alecto Carrow on Hogwarts grounds, it would put her in a very difficult position.

Not to mention we have no idea what it would take to break Terry's connection to Amycus Carrow. What are you planning to do on that end?

Re: Private Message to Frank

[alt_frank]

knock him out.

take him with.

drain every drop of blood in his body if we have to.

I've spent too long standing by, and had too many close calls to just sit back and watch while she slithers into that castle and disappears.

Re: Private Message to Frank

[alt_alice]

So we'd be keeping an eye on both Ridley and Carrow. Charming.

I want him here too, love.

Badly.

I just want you to be sure about the risk you're taking. You're both going to be awfully exposed, at Hogwarts, and again at Lincoln. There are countless things that could go wrong. And if everything goes absolutely wonderfully, we'll have a sea of Dark Magic blood spells to wade through and a hostile prisoner to keep subdued while we do so.

Re: Private Message to Frank

[alt_frank]

sirius could help terry with the transformation, speed up the process, and make sure it works to break the connection.

it's not perfect.

it's risky.

it's for a kid most people don't give two knuts about.

I've failed him for the last time, al. he's still alive, and out there, hurting, and I've had enough of wringing hands and treating that carrow woman with kid gloves. I'm going to do what I have to do and it will be worth it.

Re: Private Message to Frank

[alt_alice]

You come home with him, Frank Longbottom.

I don't care what you have to do to get here. Even if it means I have to keep Amycus Carrow fed for the next year. Just come back to me.

Promise me that.

Re: Private Message to Frank

[alt_frank]

always will.

always.