Order Only: Private Message to Pomona Sprout and Alice Longbottom

[alt_severus]

I have just returned from a day full of following Madam Umbridge around the castle while she performed searches of staff quarters. (I had hoped to be bringing you good news right about now, but alas, Madam Umbridge displayed the faintest hint of a self-preservation instinct and did not include Lestrange or Dolohov's quarters in her remit. Pity; I would have been quite interested to see certain of their protections in action.)

Pomona, I am sorry to say that the woman poked through everything, though I did offer to take the work out of her hands. While she did not find anything of note in anyone's quarters, I believe this has only infuriated her further. I would be extremely cautious upon your return.

Alice: I have sent anonymous owls to each of the staff whose quarters were searched, taking reasonable precautions of course, on the chance it will further inflame them against Umbridge's usurpation.

Comments

[alt_pomona]

She did what? Every time I think she's come to the limit of sense, she demonstrates that, no, she hasn't.

Alice, dear, I know what you said today, when we were discussing. But really, this is rapidly becoming entirely intolerable.

For my part, no, there's nothing in my quarters that would be unduly revealing. And I'm glad enough to hear not in anyone else's. (Did she search everyone's, then, besides Antonin's and Raz's? Or did she leave off Gwendolyn's and Rolanda's?)

I almost wish I'd encouraged Aurora to be even more fervent in her protections than she has been - I understood she'd consulted with her Raz, but had been refraining from some of the more - well. More problematic options.

Severus, today did remind me, when we were talking with the children: I've not had a chance to fill you in on the staff meeting Wednesday night. Horace, bless him, has given over placation, and Septima's turned her briskness to the problem as well. I think it did her a world of good to see Minerva rather more recovered than most folks expected. Auri was, I gather, as uncertain of the outcome as I was, but she sent her owl mentioning (rather obliquely) that both Antonin and her Raz were cautiously optimistic about the evening.

I wish you'd been there: it was all Slytherin plotting and Ravenclaw arm's-length analysis, and I'm not at my best with either.

[alt_alice]

Thank you, Severus. I think that was wise of you.