ORDER ONLY

[alt_alice]

We've had an eventful 24 hours. The Institute pulled off a successful extraction of one of their Sophie's Army members. There might be repercussions after the fact, but we'll keep our eyes open and hope for the best. Hermione, Fred, George, Lee, please keep us appraised.

From what Sarah's told me, Umbridge was prepared to torture her until she revealed who gave her the potion. She expected that her offence would mean she'd be shipped immediately off to the camps (or killed, like Ms Fleet) along with anyone else she mentioned, endangering the rest of the Army, especially Sally-Anne Perks.

Sarah made it very clear to me that when she volunteered to take the medicine to a fellow student, she did it knowing full well what the risks were, and made the conscious choice to proceed due to her sense of moral obligation. And what's more, she followed a specific protocol -- she dropped off the potion in an out of the way place, left an anonymous note for Ms Jones to find with the potion's location, and didn't check to see if the potion had been taken until several hours later. Unfortunately, her one error was that she did not anticipate that Ms Jones would lie in wait for her to return and then turn her in.

Kingsley, I do agree that a post-mortem would be very useful when we're all able to get back together again. However, from what I've heard, the level of planning and coordination that went into this entire set of actions from the attempted potion delivery to her extraction is quite sophisticated, and even though she's a member of the larger Sophie's Army rather than our core Institute members, Sarah has displayed incredible resolve, dedication, and bravery. The Institute has been key in the creation of this Army, and as a result, has created a powerful movement within Hogwarts that is far bigger than their core membership, which is encouraging indeed.

Severus, what's your anticipated timeline?

What are everyone else's thoughts about Order admission for the Institute?

Comments

[alt_bill]

I would have said, I think they should be admitted. EXCEPT now that they've added Draco Malfoy, that's a whole other cage of pixies. Or it could be. I know, I know, you can't judge the son solely on the basis of the father--look at the situation with Sirius' family, or Percy and Dad, for example. Still, it's something that requires careful thought.

Except--has he been actually added to the group? Or does he just know about it? Hermione?

I think the ones we worked with over the Easter Holidays should at least be given the opportunity to be admitted. If they still want it. As for Marvolo, well...I need to hear from Sirius and Hermione on that, since they know him best. On the one hand, what a coup that would be for our intelligence-gathering.

On the other, the danger in his case would also be extreme, given that his foster father is our chief enemy.

[alt_bill]

Oh, and also, on the tasks you mentioned for me, with regard to your last post, Alice: I'm so glad that Minerva was able to sneak in to check the book. Nick and I will get going on those. I still haven't been able to track down Petunia Dursley. I'm wondering whether she's died, or changed her name, or gone underground somehow. I will keep looking.

[alt_alice]

Seeing as she has rather well-known relations, I can see how she'd be motivated to fall off the books and disappear.

Perhaps she got re-married, and changed her name that way?

[alt_bill]

About Sarah Fawcett...has Frank spoken with her yet about her mother? About how we acquired Matthew? Because if you wanted me to be there for that conversation to speak with her, too, I'd be willing to come. Tomorrow, if you like.

I've never forgotten her mother. She was so bloody brave. I'd like the opportunity to tell her daughter that in person.

[alt_alice]

I think she'd like that a great deal.

We haven't told her too much, only because it's been so very much for her to handle to begin with, so we can certainly all sit down and chat about it.

Thank you.