Alice Longbottom

We may have a lead on what they're planning to do with our Neville.

Rookwood mentioned a project in one of his 'why aren't you working on this' messages to Severus.

Naturally, it is horrifying. Something about 'blank slates' and 'puppets' and 'weapons'. We've spent such a long time dreaming up the worst that can happen, which is almost helpful, I suppose -- it makes this entire business about confirmation rather than shock. Still.

How are things at Grimmauld? I know it'll be slow going before things start evening out for Harry, but he was so tightly wound when he came to Moddey, it was painful to see. And I know Draco is in mourning too.

I appreciate your providing a home for them. A real home. I know that all three of them have been severely bruised by the world in one way or another, and to have a place where they feel safe and secure and as if they can be themselves without judgement or fear is a true gift. I think it's rather telling Draco's decided to stay there for the time being.

We've been making some progress in Dover, but it's fairly slow going.

There are approximately two dozen Muggleborn and Muggle dock workers who have agreed to stay on for the time being, along with Stebs and his crew, and their continued assistance is much needed and appreciated. They are in the process of drawing up a labour contract, and we've been passing along wands to the Muggleborn, and thanks to Lee and Wayne, we've been able to make sure our people are able to move freely between the various Fideliused areas -- Lee took a party of dock workers to visit Aldrich yesterday, which I gather went over quite well for all involved.

We are currently in possession of a rather large amount of goods that are being catalogued and sorted by the dock workers -- we're being a touch mercenary with any goods that are perishable, potentially usable by our people in the free zones, or would be able to move on the black market, and are putting the rest into semi-permanent storage. We are also in the process of moving medical supplies to St Mungo's through several careful back-channels set up by Poppy.

As of yet, we are unable to determine whether MLE will be able to stop ships from coming to port, but we are able to pass goods completely securely through the tunnel access -- it's a bit more cumbersome, but is better than nothing.

Now, whether our trade will be able to continue at all is still quite uncertain. Our counterparts in Calais have been wary -- noticeably so. They've passed along some messages; I've been able to send word to allies and expatriates, and immediately heard back from Aleks, who has been building connections and a rather successful business since we've had to shutter our end of things (he's being modest, but it is impressive), and he has begun lobbying on our behalf. (Which reminds me, Justin dear, if you wish to pass anything along, please do.) There is mention of a worker from the Protectorate in Calais -- they've been quite cagey with providing names -- who is quite insistent that we are terrorists, and that the government and tradespeople of France would get into significant trouble were they to provide us 'assistance.' Presumably, he or she is still in contact with the Ministry -- I am still trying to sort out whether this person's head can be turned at all, but whoever it is has refused to talk directly to us, and the various administrators I've spoken to seem to be conflicted about what to do. (Albus's dockside connection, Jondrette, may be a workaround there -- he does not seem averse to taking a stand on principle, and is certainly appreciative of making a profit...)

I've been trying to push for 'humanitarian aid' as an angle -- aid we'd be willing to pay for (Merlin willing -- Poppy, make sure you're getting paid market prices for those St Mungo's goods?) -- and also suggested that with new management at the docks, trade restrictions may open up significantly, but at this point, they're still dickering about what they'd prefer to do.

I know you've heard as much a few times over, but very, very well done. This was a difficult mission all round. You were able to face last-minute shifts in your plan quickly and effectively, and I'm so very glad you both are back safe and sound.

I know this was far from what you both imagined you'd be doing a year ago, but I am incredibly pleased with all you've been able to accomplish in that time.

The work you've done has been absolutely instrumental to our victory. We would not be positioned where we are today without it.

Thank you both.

I expect a full report once you've had a chance to catch your breath.

We've finished our first summit with the Goblin council. I’ll let Charlie tackle some of the nuances – of which I’m sure I missed many – but on the whole, it was a tentative success. There were some unexpected protocol challenges -- apparently, wands are classed as weapons, and their handling and table placement was a touch tricky, but I, for one, was quite pleased to see our hosts openly displaying their wands, and we followed their example as best as we could.

We have the replacement scepter in hand – it was produced by the goblins during our negotiations. The Goblins require a representative be present to take possession of the true scepter, and Charlie, love, you may have to parse out a bit what they decided regarding the finer points – but I believe once symbolic possession had been achieved, and the scepter had been inspected, their representative was willing to oversee its destruction.

Our negotiations regarding Gringotts is far less settled. We initially believed that our planned method of intrusion would provide the Goblins with a certain degree of plausible deniability, but from what I can gather, in order for our venture to be a success, enough of their security measures would have to be circumvented that they believe it would place them under too much suspicion. They were touchy enough about discussing the specifics of their security measures, and seemed to take a rather dim view of the entire matter. Apparently, getting in isn’t the issue – it’s leaving that’s the sticking point. I attempted to suggest that we might make it seem as if we weren’t aware of said security measures, but that did not have a great deal of traction. And they do have a reputation to maintain, and could fall under uncomfortably close scrutiny once the burglary is discovered – which is inevitable – so I see the difficulty of their position.


At this point, they are aware that we will attempt to access the vault with or without their help, and I believe that we have laid the groundwork for the notion that if they do provide help, it might go better for them in the long term, but I don’t believe they quite trust we’d sufficiently cover for them – trust in general is in rather short supply. Nevertheless, we have our path clear for the scepter to be taken care of, and once that’s done, if there is silence on their end, we will muddle through as best as we can.

Bill, Rachel, how soon might we proceed? Please let us know what additional support you'll require.

Spring is coming.

We've started our early Spring planting in earnest, and after a winter of potatoes, are looking forward to some more variety in our diet -- although the influx of fruit and grain shipments have been very appreciated, and thoroughly enjoyed. I have a feeling that cauliflower and Brussels sprouts will be quite the luxury even to our pickier eaters, and Merlin, I cannot wait for fresh peas.

Cerys found a suitable wand last night, and in a few days, she'll be touring the free zones to find her footing. Bill, thank you for your permit work -- the more you can cobble together on that front, the better. Sally-Anne, Daphne, Hydra, Pansy, let us know once you've sorted a way to send Igraine word.

Once we've had the chance to negotiate with the Goblins, we'll know more about our immediate future surrounding the Scepter and our access to Bellatrix's vault. (Charlie -- I attempted Goblin Rules at dinner tonight, and while Ragnik gave me a few more stylistic reminders, he told me that on the whole, I'd done 'reasonably well,' which I take to mean that I need a bit more work, but managed not to mortally offend him.) When it comes to the rest of them, there are several we have yet to identify, and the current location of the diadem is still unknown. The first strategy that comes to mind is to send teams to Umbridge and Minerva's houses respectively for a thorough search, as by my reckoning, we are not even particularly certain whether she had the diadem when she was plated. Thoughts?

We also have a possible lead on locations where Prince William may be held, and will need to engage in careful reconnaissance -- Kingsley, Tonks, you'll be taking lead on that one. Anyone who wants to help out will be much appreciated, I'm sure.

Easter hols are coming up. If there's anything the Hogwarts crew anticipates they'd need, or would want to help with, please let us know. I know that some of you will be less free to have your own schedules than others, we'll try to schedule a meeting that will work for as many of us as possible.

Where is Kevin?

I went to check on him and he wasn't in his bed and Jacinda didn't remember putting him down for the night and assumed he was with us.

Is he with one of you?

You have one minute to reply before I call the alarm and start a search.

They've come back.

Oh, Merlin, they've come back.

I've just received word.

Finbar Quigley and Dudley Dursley walked in to a rendezvous an hour ago. From what I've been told, Finbar was badly injured at Sherwood, Dudley less so, and the two managed to make their way to the outskirts of Langwith. A couple took them both in, hid them, fed them, and managed to heal them up enough so they could make their way back to us. Fin's lost one of his hands, and has other ongoing issues that'll need addressing, but he's alive, and so is Dudley, and gracious. I am beyond relieved.

I'm going to see them right now.

Frank's fetching Colin and Terry so they can come with.

Harry, I've made the rounds I don't know how many times, and had several people make inquiries, and Dudley is nowhere to be found.

He hasn't been seen since the initial attack. The last sighting placed him fighting Inferi in the woods alongside Finbar, a close friend of his, who is likewise missing. Neither had a button on them, and Finbar is not responding to messages in his journal.

No-one I've spoken to has been able to definitively confirm Dudley's capture or death, and we have over two dozen other people from Sherwood who are missing without any way of contacting them. All we can do now is wait to see if he turns up, and hope. Lindy Foster came wandering into a rendezvous point just this morning after missing since the attack on Sherwood, and she was none the worse for wear except for being quite hungry and footsore.

We'll do our best to keep our eyes open for him.

I am very pleased to announce the birth of Nicole Helene Brownmiller, who entered the world at 1:45 PM, attended by Poppy, Evelyn, and myself. She's six pounds six ounces, and unlike her counterpart, is without a single hair on her rather sweet little head. She's perfectly healthy, and both mother and father are relieved and quite happy. Rory Brownmiller is quite excited, and is very much looking forward to holding Nicole with an assist from mum and dad.

We have a volunteer centre at Bedford, where the button network is. If you're unsure as to where you might go, come to Bedford, we'll direct you where you're most needed.

We'll need any people with potions training to get to work on burn salve and blood replenishing, as both will be needed in massive quantities. If you have an OWL or higher in potions, go straight to Aldrich's hospital and ask for Mr Shah.

If anyone has had direct contact in a wandfight with Bellatrix Lestrange, go immediately to Saltash, or have someone help you get there.

There are still several people in the wind, and many civilian villagers we've take in to the safe zones for safety who are anxiously waiting word on family. Tim, please start a list.