ORDER ONLY: Private Message to Poppy and Severus

[alt_alice]

There is no immediate change.

It is a distinct challenge to keep him in bed and resting. As he's restless and as he's physically in fairly good shape, it's difficult for him to feel the need. He continues to take the potion regimen (thank you, Severus, for bringing that by).

Poppy, I'm trying to engage him in activities that will keep him occupied without wearing him out -- helping with logistical planning, for instance. Is that the right thing to do? Can he be a bit more physically active, or should we keep him bed bound? He's attempting to avoid the impulse to try to do magic as best he can, and we've been keeping his wand out of the room for now, but it's been such a part of his daily life that when he's especially tired or frustrated, he'll do small things automatically -- like reaching out to try and summon something to him.

Also. Sirius suggested Frank's taking a trip to Saltash once he's had his rest. Especially if there's no immediate change. He would be of use there, which he sorely needs, and his lack of magic would be expected and considered normal under the circumstances.

What are your thoughts? Would it ruin any chance he might have of his magic returning if he spent any significant time in a null field like that? Would it help?

Comments

[alt_severus]

I have been unable to corner Albus for an in-depth discussion, so I cannot speak conclusively to the mechanism by which Frank's magic was damaged nor the mechanism by which the magic-dampening field functions, but unless you are able to get a more concrete answer from Albus or Poppy feels it ought not be an issue, my instinct is to say it is a risk not worth taking unless Frank is adapting exceptionally poorly to being magicless. With how much we do not know about the situation, I would not care to risk it.

[alt_alice]

From what Frank has said to me, their conversation before the incident was fairly hurried -- Albus said that if the field was too large, it could prove fatal, and that the after effects could include permanent loss or unstable magic, but as the only other caster died shortly after due to an incorrect incantation that drained her of her life forces, it would be difficult to know what the end results would be.

Poppy, have you found anything else out?

[alt_alice]

And I doubt many of us would be able to handle such a change with grace and dignity.

[alt_alice]

Apologies.

We've had a long few days.

[alt_severus]

I can assure you I have heard far worse, and paid it as little mind, from people under less stress than you.

As it happens I have spent considerable time without magic myself, though under far different circumstances. No matter how poor I may be at showing it, I am sympathetic.

I would suggest finding a task with which to occupy himself as quickly as possible. Perhaps Fu Lee will have a project that could use Frank's expertise without requiring his magic.

[alt_alice]

Yes. Of course.

I didn't mean to

I'm so sorry, Severus.

I'll talk to him tomorrow. And once we've a better idea of what sort of activity level he ought to be engaging in, we can go from there.

[alt_severus]

Do remember to take care of yourself as well, particularly as you are no doubt attempting to do Frank's work as well as your own.

[alt_alice]

And Stephen's.

Richard and Patty have been providing a great deal of additional help in our day to day work lately, which I am very grateful for. And on Sunday, when the boys came by for their weekly visit from Sherwood, they spent all afternoon chipping in on chores before dinner.

I'll be careful not to take on too much on my own.

[alt_severus]

Which reminds me that I have the remainder of the potions to restock your stores available, along with what Stephen's notes say was his regular weekly brewing; I will send them along as soon as I am able.

I have given some thought to how you might work around Stephen's loss; while I cannot think of anyone who might take his place in research, one of the older children might do for the regular brewing. As reluctant as I am to admit it, I cannot keep this pace much longer.

[alt_alice]

Thank you, Severus.

Colin and Divyesh might be of help -- they worked with Stephen the longest of all the older children, and have had several years of practise helping him with his standard brewing -- he was quite a fan of practical lessons, after all.

In terms of our more complicated brewing needs, Hermione might be able to provide some assistance for keeping us in enough Polyjuice and other more advanced work. Miss Parkinson is always rather chuffed when you ask her for help, too. I'm sure she'd make time.

You might think of involving one or both of them more directly in your research, if you think it appropriate.

[alt_severus]

I have had Miss Granger brewing Polyjuice for some time, in fact, and serving as a junior apprentice would in matters of research — indeed, what limited success we have managed to achieve in brewing Black's family potion stems in part from a suggestion of hers. She both has a natural aptitude for the exactness required, and (I believe) finds brewing to be more comfortable than those subjects requiring wandwork; as we do not discuss personal matters for the most part I cannot be certain, but were I to venture a guess, I would say that, having had to conceal her abilities for so long, she finds it difficult to reconcile the overwhelming need for secrecy and the confidence required for charmwork and other such magics. I have had her working at NEWT level for at least the past year, and though I do not know if she knows it, have taken her through at least the first areas of what an apprentice must demonstrate knowledge in order to be passed through to journeyman. If I am able to retain the teaching of her in such frequent measure and should she continue to show this level of interest, I cannot imagine it will take more than three or four years for her to achieve her mastery. (Mind you, should she realise what I am doing or what my end goals with respect to her tutelage are, I am certain her self-consciousness will become more pronounced; do not mention it anywhere she might hear or see. I will have a difficult enough time finding casual justification for why further apprentice-level potions must be brewed, and more precisely, brewed by her.)

Miss Parkinson has also shown adequate laboratory capabilities. I will enlist her aid as well.

I had not thought about who will take over for Stephen in providing lessons for the children at Moddey. Though I will confess to finding the prospect horrifying, I would volunteer to provide what tutelage I might if absolutely necessary, but I cannot imagine where on earth the time would come from. It pains me to make the suggestion, but now that Black has been given the secret, he might suffice at basic instruction. As he is at roughly the same level of maturity, he would no doubt find the presence of the children less grating en masse.

[alt_alice]

I will take your recommendation under advisement.

Your plan with Hermione sounds both useful and prudent. I am sure that under your tutelage, she will be able to accomplish great things.

She has an incredible mind, and it is so very important to foster that and encourage it.

I'll send along what notes I can find in Stephen's personal effects, and with the continued assistance of Hermione and Pansy, you can hopefully continue to progress in your projects. Please let me know if there's anything more you need from me in order to be able to do that.