ORDER ONLY: The plan

[alt_severus]

We have hammered out a plan for the destruction of the Ministry's private message archives. Auror Brodie believes there is a very good chance she still has the authority to make it past the wards; I am capable of casting and containing Fiendfyre. We will go in at shift change — which is in several hours — with Draco to act as lookout, with both Draco and myself under Polyjuice and Auror Brodie placed very briefly under Imperius (to confuse the forensic story and allow her to claim Imperius if we are captured; Draco, of course, would simply claim captivity). Tonks will be ready to provide backup if we encounter difficulty; if we are successful she will simply carry out her duties.

There was brief debate about the wisdom of destroying as much of the Ministry as possible, but upon discussion we decided it was unwise to attempt without more time to plan than we have available to us; given the urgency of destroying material that implicates Harry, it is better to move quickly than to overreach our target.

With luck none of the rest of you will be awake to see this until one of us is able to report success.

Comments

Private message to Draco

[alt_severus]

Get an hour's sleep, if you can. I will be certain to wake you.

Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_rachel]

So if this plan goes to hell, I just wanted to say, it's been delightful. No regrets. I wake up every morning knowing I could die that day, and dying for the Order -- even if it's to clean up after your three-ring circus of charmingly subversive insane adolescents and their apparent penchant for coded discussions of Sirius Black -- beats the hell out of dying for MLE or even Dogstar.

Hopefully it'll all go fine and you can make fun of me in the morning for being maudlin. But I don't want to wake you, and just in case, you know?

Re: Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_bill]

Make fun of you? No way. Blast, you should have woken me. I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I was so bloody exhausted, I fell over into bed and slept like the dead when I returned home. Mum may have even dosed my tea, for all I know; I wouldn't put it past her. I should have been kicked awake to offer tactical help, but thank Merlin you all pulled it off. And I know they probably couldn't have without you, so bloody hell, I'm so glad you're on our side.

Expect an angry and relieved kiss when I see you today, just as soon as I can drag you into an empty office and ward the door.

I'll want to a full debriefing if we can get away for lunch. I'll want the details of how you did it and particularly anxious to hear how Snape and Draco and Hermione are doing. But I'm not sure it'll be possible.

Merlin, they're going to be spitting kneazle bones when I make it into work today, aren't they?

Re: Private message to Bill Weasley

[alt_rachel]

Sorry I didn't update when we got back. Severus said he'd do it, and the lack of sleep was catching up with me.

Still seems to have me, actually. I hope I don't have to duel anyone today.

The plan went off perfectly. Once I was there and looking at it I remembered exactly how to get through. I'm glad Severus was along to cast the Fiendfyre, though. We wouldn't actually have burned down the Ministry -- the wards they cast to keep out Cadmus Mulciber's crew are strong enough to bottle it up rather effectively -- but if it had been me casting, I don't think we'd have got out.

Work, well, the hardest part's remembering what you don't know.

[alt_severus]

The endeavour was successful; we have returned.

I am not a superstitious man, but I cannot help thinking that was entirely too easy.

Private message to Alice

[alt_severus]

One casualty. Not ours; I did not realise until after I had begun the incantations that the archives were not completely evacuated, and by then it was too late to stop. I do regret his death; he died of nothing more than a devotion to his duty and a refusal to evacuate when the alarm was sounded, I suppose.

Auror Brodie was a great help; Draco performed quite adequately.

I am exhausted.

Re: Private message to Alice

[alt_alice]

Thank you.

I'd imagine you are.

I'll be by later today, after you've had the chance to rest some, so we might all talk about what might be next for Draco. I've some ideas he might find adequately stimulating, but as always, would appreciate your input. I'll be asking Sirius, Remus, and Tonks for their input as well.

I'm hoping to talk to Hermione, too. She may not be as prepared or eager to jump into future plans, and I'd like her to know she can take what time she needs and has our full support.

Re: Private message to Alice

[alt_severus]

She is not doing well, Alice. But Black tells me she is brewing Lupin's Wolfsbane this morning, at least, which provides me with some small amount of hope.

I do not know if she will ever forgive me.

Re: Private message to Alice

[alt_alice]

Trust, Severus.

Give her time.

She will.

It's because she feels so close to both you and Minerva that this is so hard.

Private Message to Snape

[alt_sirius]

Sni Sev Snape,

When you wake up: Hermione's in the stillroom. She got up this morning, came rushing down the stairs, and started brewing like one possessed. I came in and she barely even looked up but that one look sent me back out again.

You ... might want to avoid her until she's done. In any case, I take it as a positive sign, whatever else it is.

Re: Private Message to Snape

[alt_severus]

I am awake now, though given the events of the last few days I am endeavouring to decide whether there is a chance I might sleep for another hour or so.

And thank you for letting me know. I cannot imagine what is so urgent, but for her to show interest in the laboratory is, I suppose, a good sign; given the way she has reacted thus far, I had feared she would decide the thought of

oh. I have just noted the calendar. She has almost certainly realised Lupin will need his Wolfsbane, and taken up the task of brewing it. I do not know whether to be encouraged that she is capable of concern for others even in the depths of her grief, or worried that she did not communicate her plans to me.

Or both, I suppose. Although I cannot blame her for finding the thought of being in the same room with me intolerable at the moment — she loved Minerva dearly, and having seen Minerva's last moments would be traumatising enough even without the events surrounding them. I cannot imagine Hermione will not continue to blame me for having been the one to end Minerva's suffering for quite some time to come.

I do not wish to intrude upon her grief and I do not wish to force her to confront me until she is ready to do so, but I am concerned for her state of mind and her well-being. If you are able to do so without triggering her anger or her pride, I would ask you to look in upon her. Tell her that I

Re: Private Message to Snape

[alt_sirius]

Well, she spent loads of time yesterday cleaning out the cupboard next to my father's old study and re-shelving books in the library. But this was different. So, right, full moon, makes sense.

I wouldn't take her lack of communication personally, though, if I were you. It looked more like - like she'd just thought of it and decided it had to be done.

She went in without breakfast; it's nearly lunchtime. I can try to bring her a tray, see how she's doing.

Though the idea of assassinating every death eater still at large is still tempting. Maybe after lunch.

Re: Private Message to Snape

[alt_severus]

Yes. Please do bring her a tray, if you are willing to do so; neither she nor Draco seem to have much interest in food, but perhaps if someone else reminds her, she will eat. I am not taking it personally, or rather, I am reminding myself at every opportunity that I ought not; I am well aware I serve as an awful reminder at the moment. But I am exceptionally concerned about her well-being.

As for Death Eater assassinations: while the prospect remains enticing, I would prefer to do so while more rested. I shall cede my position in the next round to you if you would like.