alt_alice | ORDER ONLY

Sirius and Caradoc look far better this evening than they did when they first arrived, and we're still patching up some of the Sherwood group, but they appear to be in good spirits on the whole. Frank is unchanged for the time being.

Albus spent some time with me this afternoon, working through what exactly happened this morning to Frank and Saltash.

When he was first learning about whether we could ward an area as large as Moddey Dhoo, Albus did a great deal of reading up on the early development of the spell. Apparently, in a rather obscure source, he found that one early attempt at creating a magical field of protection went oddly awry -- the caster died, and the effort caused a temporary field where magic was not effective. From what I've been made to understand, the precautionary steps we use in Fidelius today -- the salt barrier, for instance, and walking the perimeter in bare feet -- are to prevent that magical feedback from occurring, which could otherwise hurt the caster and create odd or unpredictable magical fields within the area.

Albus got the idea that this early attempt could be studied and modified in order to deliberately create and sustain a magical nullification field for defensive purposes, and developed a technique that he believed would be safer for the caster, as the field would be self-sustaining after the initial magical surge rather than continue to deplete the energy of the person who cast it. There were concerns, however, that were the area too large, the caster wouldn't be able to handle the surge.

Frank cast the spell with full knowledge of the risks involved. He does not appear to be losing energy or declining in any of his vital signs. Albus seemed to be hopeful that as he has survived thus far, his chances were good. However, we do not know how long he'll be like this, or how he might have otherwise been impacted by the spell.

We'll have to explore the area some later -- clearly, the secret-keeping mechanism has largely been effective so far, and the field has maintained. It is most likely very dangerous to attempt to Apparate to an area inside or around the field, however.

There are all sorts of considerations for how we might proceed -- there are several hundred people inside the field, and we must assess their immediate needs and attempt to provide them. Being unable to appear directly in the protected area will be a challenge for supplies. We can anticipate that the surrounding area will be heavily patrolled as well. John, Remus and I have been talking through what that might look like, and sorting out who will be best able to go out there tomorrow to re-establish contact.

I'll also be extensively assessing what went well today, and what we'll need to improve upon. As always, I appreciate any insights you can give so that we will be better prepared in the future.

We have bled for the ground we won today, and the costs have been dear. I am humbled by your sacrifices, and proud of all of us for what we've accomplished today. Who knows what tomorrow will bring, but we're facing it together. Thank you.