Good riddance to February

[alt_selwyn]

This has been a thoroughly difficult month; the continued spread of Black's paralysis alone would have seen to this, but naturally Black never sows trouble in one field when he can sow it in ten. There is at least a light at the end of the tunnel regarding the sickness, but it remains rather remote at present.

I have instructed all my staff to give whatever help MLE requires with the ongoing investigation into both Archer's death and the matter he was being questioned about. In the meantime, I sent word today to Muggleborn Labour regarding the family of the disgraced younger brother; records show they are all alive and even healthy, and they are to be taken into protective custody immediately and removed to a location where they can be quarantined until the epidemic is over. Final decisions will of course not be made until the investigation is complete, but naturally some leniency can be expected for the family of a Protectorate subject who has made a strenuous and sincere (if belated) demonstration of loyalty.

I am optimistic that March will be better, especially if the formula for stopping the spread of Black's paralysis proves good.

Comments

[alt_ron]

Hello, sir.

My name is Ronald Weasley. I don't believe we've met, but I read what you say in the journals all the time.

Um. I-- er

Well, thanks for all you're doing to make sure we don't get sick here, I guess.

[alt_selwyn]

You're welcome, I guess.

Are there a good many Hogwarts students who follow my journal entries, Ronald?

[alt_ron]

Oh, yes, sir.

We talk about them whenever you write. Well, so far there's been a lot of what you've said that makes a difference here at the school. About it not being safe for us to go home or anyone to come here. And the older students are all talking about how they hope that by the next Hogsmeade weekend they'll be allowed to go. And then, of course, it was too bad about the firechats and all.

So, I'd say that what you write is followed by almost everyone here.

[alt_selwyn]

So, a hex, is it, my boy?

Let's see. You're a Gryffindor, I see. Arthur Weasley's son. Gareth Archer is a year younger than you, but you're in a small house, surely you know each other. Yes?

[alt_ron]

Ah, yes, sir. It's true about Archer, he's a firstie in my House. Like my sister, sir. She's a firstie, too. And I know him a bit, sir. He doesn't really say much. I mean, I think he was sort of homesick at first and then, like all the firsties, he was probably a little frightened when people started getting petrified, so, I'm not sure, but I think he was one of the ones who had trouble sleeping and had to go to the Hospital Wing a lot, but I don't think he was one of the ones wetting the bed, at least not that I heard. Anywiz, he seems a nice enough sort, but quiet, y'know. I heard he did really well in Potions first term, and I think he's done well in Charms and Transfiguration. At least I haven't heard that he needed loads of help in those subjects, cause some of my friends have been tutoring firsties and they didn't mention him as one of the ones having loads of trouble or anything. And I don't know why I can't stop telling you stuff, sir. I think it's because my friends were trying to help and they locked up my journal and kind of tied me up so I couldn't get it and write any more tonight, but then it got late and they had to leave and my brother Percy, he's a Prefect, y'know, well Percy had to go off to do his rounds of the castle and walk people from the library or whatever and then I guess my journal got loose from wherever they locked it up because it came flying up the stairs and knocked me in the head and now I'm having to write again, and I can't seem to stop. And is it midnight yet? Because this had better stop at midnight because then it won't be my birthday any more. And anywiz, did I answer your question, sir? Was that what you wanted to know? Because I could maybe tell you more if you asked me something particular, but I don't know what you want to know and anywiz, I don't really know Archer all that well. I didn't even know he didn't live with his dad--well, I mean, obviously, none of live at home when we're at school, but I mean when he's not--I didn't know his parents are--were, I mean--separated or divorced or whatever they were. Cause we never talked about personal stuff like that. Or really about much of anything except what the password is when it's changed or which stairs to take to get to Astronomy without having to go past the library or which veg it's really best not to eat and which sweets are best. Oh, and he told me he follows the Falcons, and he'd like to go out for Chaser next year, and I think he tested out of flying right away. And anywiz, if there's anything else I think of, I'll tell you, I'm sure. At least if I think of it before midnight, but after that, I don't know. I don't think I'd bother you again if you didn't ask me something, y'know? Anywiz, I hope that's what you wanted to know.

So, yeah.

[alt_selwyn]

You bring back such memories, lad.

Midnight's hours away yet. I suppose it wouldn't help if you went to bed.

[alt_ron]

I don't think I'd be able to sleep.

And if I did go to sleep, but I kept writing anyway, that really couldn't be good, could it?

[alt_selwyn]

So how are things at Hogwarts? Is everyone bearing up under the quarantine well enough?

[alt_ron]

Um. Good morning, sir.

I think I'm all better now. I mean, I'm pretty sure I'm not hexed any more, but I thought maybe it wouldn't be polite to ignore your question because, actually, it's a pretty important one.

I think for the most part we're doing all right here, but sometimes--and it's really hard to guess when it could happen, I mean, it always comes dead out of the blue--sometimes somebody snaps and goes absolutely shouty crackers here. Or does something really awful.

I mean, I think it's two things. We're all kind of feeling, I don't know, strained, maybe? all the time and so, sometimes somebody'll just reach a place where it's too much--maybe because they've got a Potion that went pear shaped, or they've got a Charms parchment due, or because it snowed for the sixth day in a row, or because they were expecting an owl from home but it didn't come, or because somebody looked squintwise at them, or whatever--and so they just explode like a dung bomb going off or they come out in hairy hives and have to go to Madam Pomfrey. But then there're other people, ones who see how everyone's hanging on just by their nose hairs or whatever, and they figure out how to make things work to their advantage. Like they'll tell some firstie that they heard noises in the walls at night, and so that firstie starts having screaming fits in the middle of the next night, and then while all the Prefects and everyone are busy dealing with the firstie, the person who told the fib will go nick something from someone, or they'll slip out and do whatever they wanted even though it's after curfew. And some of those people are taking advantage of the fact that almost nobody's ever out around the castle during the evenings, because all the normal people are too scared to go anywhere alone or they're all revising for NEWTs or whatever, and so the people who want to get up to mischief, they can go pretty much anywhere they want and do whatever because they can count on no one seeing them unless it's just seeing them slip back into a room or a dormitory or a club meeting or the library or whatever when they're done. It's really interesting. You can sort of watch people doing this if you know what to look for. I mean, I don't know what they get up to, but I see them coming and going from places sometimes, and I figure it's like chess and they've got some long game going. Or maybe they've just got bad digestive tracts and have to go see Madam Pomfrey a lot in the evenings.

So that's it. We're mostly going on with it pretty well, but everyone's pretty edgy, and every day there's some little thing that makes somebody go all banshee on us, and that grates a little bit more off everybody else's nerves.

Anywiz, I hope you have a good day, sir. I'm really sorry to have pestered you yesterday. It was awfully nice of you to not get cross about it.

[alt_percy]

I apologise on my brother's behalf, sir. As is probably clear to you, Ronald has been the victim of a prank, today being his birthday, you understand. He's not normally this...voluble, or determined to talk out of turn. Please excuse his comments in your journal. He realises that you are a very busy and important man and would not dream of addressing you so had he not been under the influence of a rather ill-considered hex.

[alt_ron]

Yes, thank you, Percy. I said that myself. Loads of times. And also without your help. In any way. All day.

Some brother you are.

[alt_selwyn]

I believe your brother made his situation quite clear.

He needn't fret on my account.

[alt_lucius]

Hear, hear. In that regard, our outing to the camps proved enlightening, Dominic. Augustus feels confident that he can expand the programme to all the camps before the Ides.

The half-blood strain remains resistant, but he believes that he is on the track of a modification that will mitigate the poison's effect. When we left him, he proposed to share his work with Healer Locksley and Chief Healer Acton to-morrow, after he has run some additional tests in his laboratory to-night.

MacMillan also contacted me about the young boy. It seems that his uncle, the one who stepped forward to us in the first place, has personally vouched for his nephew and sister-in-law. There may be some follow-up questions for them, particularly in light of some matters the Lord Protector wished settled, but the doubt over their trustworthiness and loyalty is, at least as far as MacMillan is concerned, resolved.

[alt_ron]

Hello again, sir.

[alt_lucius]

Mr Weasley.

Is there something you wished to ask?

[alt_ron]

Um.

No sir.

[alt_lucius]

Then I suggest you return to your lessons and try, difficult as it may be for you, to stay out of further trouble.

[alt_ron]

Yes, sir. I'll try, sir.

[alt_crouch_jr]

Yes, I think we're in agreement about the child. I believe, however, we've sent someone to have a conversation with the estranged widow. 'Estranged' is such an equivocal category.

[alt_ron]

Hello, sir.

I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

RON, WHY DO YOU KEEP TALKING TO THESE PEOPLE? Are you going to go pester Bellatrix Lestrange next?

SHUT IT.

Oh and good news about Gareth. I hope things come out alright for his mum.

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

Did she write something?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

I don't know what's going on, but I keep

it's like I have to

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_sally_anne]

BREAK YOUR QUILL. OR HAVE NEVILLE TAKE IT FROM YOU.

Can you reply under the LOCK to everyone at least?

Re: I Solemnly Swear That I Am Up To No Good

[alt_ron]

I dunno! I'll try!!!

[alt_crouch_jr]

Beg your pardon?

[alt_ron]

Sir?

[alt_crouch_jr]

Poke your wand where it doesn't belong, and you're likely to have it snapped.

[alt_ron]

I'm really sorry, sir! Really!

[alt_narcissa]

Oh, but Barty, it's already snapped. Or as good as.

He's the one who took Marvolo to school in that flying contraption, don't you remember?

I can't imagine what's going through his head today, though.

[alt_ron]

I'm not sure, ma'am.

Someone seems to have hexed me for my birthday. At least that seems likely. I'm trying to stop. Really. But I

I

CaN'

t

[alt_narcissa]

A hex? How very droll.

Well. That explains everything. Run along, then, and wait until it wears off. Or see if perhaps Professor Acton can remove it for you.

But I do advise you to stop antagonising Barty. He doesn't take well to children, under the best of circumstances. He's liable to hex you himself, and then you'll be in dire straits.

Director Selwyn at least has children, but they are both very busy wizards, you know. As is my husband. Best not to distract them when they are at work.

[alt_ron]

I'll try, ma'am.

I'm not doing this because I think it's funny. Cause I really, really don't!

I just can't stop it.

I'm very sorry. Really, truly.

[alt_crouch_jr]

That's enough.

[alt_ron]

Oh, I'm really sorry, sir. See, I have to answer if you say something to me. It's a hex.

Or a curse

Or something

Someone thought it'd be funny

But

it's really, really NOT FUNNY AT ALL!!!!

[alt_selwyn]

Don't you have some homework you should be doing, lad?

[alt_ron]

Yes, sir. That's true, sir.

[alt_selwyn]

It most certainly is.

We received an owl from the third brother as well, Adalbert I think his name was, asserting his own ignorance of Aloysius's activities. He also vouches for the widow and said he'd sent a bundle of letters on to MLE for examination. Apparently Aloysius carried on a lengthy correspondence with his niece at Hogwarts. Adalbert said he saw no sign that his brother had made a serious attempt to corrupt his daughter but was appalled to think it was only a matter of time. At any rate you may wish to question the niece, if you can manage it given the quarantine. The present head girl interned with Bellatrix, didn't she? Perhaps she could see if the niece knows anything of interest. It's unlikely she was involved in seditious activities but he may have let something slip in a more recent letter.

[alt_crouch_jr]

That's a good thought about Miss Sandoval. I'll have a word with Bellatrix about it this afternoon.