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[alt_alice]

We're going to need everyone who can spare the time to help us with some additional fine tuned ley-mapping in the next two weeks in order to finalise our plans for bringing down the Octoboros wards. Sarah has come up with a set of maps that have the areas that need to be covered clearly marked, and, for the most part, they should be fairly low-risk.

We have several rather nice brooms at our disposal should anyone need a loaner. Wayne, if you can pair up with Lee and Kingsley, they'll get you properly oriented and you can coordinate schedules. Stebs, I know you're a little less available, but if you do end up with a few free hours, we could certainly use an extra set of eyes.

In other news, Divyesh and Nicholas are currently undergoing training to replace Evelyn and Neville in their forest excursions and are hoping to join Colin and Luna the weekend after next, Draco and Hermione are making progress on their plans to establish a safehouse in Hogsmeade, and Ragnik has sent his first pair of working wands back to his clan for their approval and use.

I am also pleased to report that thanks to some hard work and rather clever manoeuvring on the part of the Players, a team of engineers and mechanics from Saltash, and the capable assistance of Danny Houster and Victor Scrim (our in-house engine experts), we're well on our way to having a working train engine of our very own. The team anticipates that this project will take two more months of work at least, and we still would need a supply of coal in order to make effective use of it, but they've made excellent progress over the last few months and I'm quite pleased. In the event where we may need to stealthily move a large amount of people or supplies, having this resource hiding in the sleeves of our robes would be most welcome.

We've also been developing some propaganda pieces for distribution to target the witches and wizards who are in the middle of everything -- we have some samples of possible radio programming and pamphlets that Arca has been working on. I'd like some feedback on them from people who know the sort of audience we need to reach most -- off the top of my head, Jeremy, Susan, Lee, Cedric, Daphne, Wayne, Stebs, I know your input would be quite valuable, and whoever else would be interested in looking it over would be more than appreciated.

Comments

Private Message to Remus

[alt_alice]

Apparently, if I understood things properly from Jeremy and Cecelia, there is a ‘very very extremely small’ chance that we could cause a ‘cataclysmic event’ that would have ‘global effects.’ They emphasised the ‘very very extremely small’ part quite a lot. We have two choices, one to replace the active Emerald Octoborus with the inactive one, which should render the field inert, and the other is to set up the inactive Octoboros in a strategic location to 'trigger a cascade' which would theoretically accomplish the same, but is slightly riskier. (The 'slightly' part was also emphasised, but I'm not entirely convinced.)

Jeremy and Evie are running the formulas for both options, and Cecelia and Sarah have been working to sort out which runes to alter on the inactive stone depending on which version we settle on, so the energy fields will either be appropriately absorbed or redirected to trigger the cascade. To complicate things, they're still deciding where the ideal location would be for the second option, hence the need to engage in more substantial mapping of the ley lines (and additional calculations).

From what I can see, removing the working Emerald Octoboros and replacing it would have its own host of problems, as the security measures in place include some complicated spellwork that we haven't had the chance to explore in great detail, and we would be far more exposed. That, and it'd mean that Mysteries might have the chance to build yet another replacement and fix it again.

The word 'cataclysmic' keeps rattling around in my head.

Re: Private Message to Remus

[alt_lupin]

What exactly do they mean by a cataclysmic event?

Re: Private Message to Remus

[alt_alice]

Let me transcribe.

'There is a very, very small chance that ley lines the world over could either spontaneously cease to exist, experience a surge in energy, or drastically alter their patterns. We theorise that in the most extreme scenarios, this could result in massive earthquakes, shifts in oceanic currents, and volcanic activity. Coastlines would be threatened by tsunamis, the migratory patterns of birds, herd animals, and ocean life would be permanently impacted, and magical people the world over would experience a variety of impacts including an inability to apparate or fly.'

According to Jeremy, the odds of this happening were 'so small we can't really even assign it a meaningful number.'

Re: Private Message to Remus

[alt_alice]

I might also add that they said that the completion of the octobori array has a roughly equal probability of causing the same impacts.

Re: Private Message to Remus

[alt_lupin]

Oh. Well, in THAT case, let's not worry about it.

Re: Private Message to Remus

[alt_alice]

Indeed.

Private Message to Charlie and Bill

[alt_alice]

I'm assuming the goblins would be horribly offended if we asked whether they wanted training up in wand use.

We might phrase it as a chance for us to both learn from one another, but they're so secretive I'm not sure that would go over well either.

Would they even need training?

I'm putting my utter ignorance on display, but I figure it's best I show it to you instead of Ragnik.

Private Message to Albus

[alt_alice]

I've worked up a list of possible candidates from Sherwood, our own people, the free zones, and some of the camp residents we've given wands to over the years to start testing for the capability to do the modified Fidelius. I was thinking you might train Tonks and Kingsley to administer the test, so all three of you could work through the candidates rather than putting it all on your shoulders, if you think that would be possible.

And you'll tell me as soon as your friends get hold of the artefact? I'd like to see if Draco and Hermione can learn how to use it -- they seem keen enough, and I think they'd prove quite capable.

Re: Private Message to Albus

[alt_albus]

They have made three dives. Last I heard, they were waiting for suitable weather, but thought they knew where the artefact must be within the ship now.

I will inquire again at the weekend.

As to the test, I can likely get free for a few hours Sunday, if you would arrange for Tonks and Kingsley to be available.

Re: Private Message to Albus

[alt_alice]

Good. Thank you.

Private Message to Daphne

[alt_alice]

I knew you'd be a valuable addition to our circle, Daphne.

I'll certainly take your insights into account as we move forward, and I appreciate your perspective. Keep up the good work.

[alt_jeremy]

Quidditch. For radio programming, yeah? Historical pieces, "ask your grand-dad" sort of things. Might get people talking about the good old days in ways beyond Quidditch.

Football, too. International sport. Remind people what they're missing by being cut off from the rest of the world, yeah?

[alt_sinistra]

I know that Tosha our Headmaster is going to be away from Hogwarts for hour or two for supper on Friday night - would that perhaps be a time someone could check the Book?

[alt_cedric]

I could be in the office at that time.

[alt_alice]

Take care, Cedric. We don't know what sort of protections he might've placed. Play it by ear, have an excellent excuse for being there should you need one, and don't do any magic unless absolutely necessary. Pomona and Poppy should be able to walk you through the process easily enough.

[alt_cedric]

I can be involved or stand guard to give warning of any arrivals. The offices have rearranged themselves rather extensively, but I'm mostly sure of the location of both the real and false book. I know he's consulted the abridged one at least once.

Who should I expect? Pomona and Poppy alone or Headmaster emeritus Dumbledore as well?

[alt_poppy]

I'll come myself, I think. Easier to explain, as I assume his wards will log each visitor's presence.

I'd be hoping to catch him to discuss a matter or two of concern. I've never expected the Head of School to come at my summons for such conferences. And, of course, finding him out, but you present, I'll happily take the opportunity to see how you are faring.

That should do for cover, I'd think. Unless we trip a snare of some kind while accessing the book.

[alt_cedric]

I'd be happy to look over any literature you want, but it ought to be when I visit for training. I don't want to have that sort of thing sitting around my flat.

[alt_alice]

Of course. Sunday, then?

[alt_poppy]

I've seen several of Arca's works, in progress, as it were. I think she has a nice touch and is clever about striking the balance between what's interesting and informative.