Order Only Private message to Alice

I must inform you — and I have chosen to do so privately so you may decide whom to inform and under what circumstances — that I do not believe there is a way to free Minerva of the geas upon her. Or if there is, it is well hidden enough that stumbling upon it will be a happy accident and not something we might hope for.

I am limited, of course, in that I cannot study the artefact directly, nor can I speak with her about anything other than Milland's duties in any manner other than circumspectly, lest I risk her. (And here, I fear, is where her knowledge of me is a detriment; she knows full well that nothing I say or do has a single purpose, and so I am even more limited in what I dare.) I have endeavoured, in our weekly meetings about the state of the castle, to communicate that matters are being handled as well as we can. Though I cannot be certain, I believe she finds the notion reassuring, cold comfort though it might be.

I will keep working at the problem, though I am not hopeful.

Meanwhile, I am not at all certain when what feels like the entire cohort of Order children at Hogwarts collectively decided that I am to be their agony aunt, but I am certain that Lily someone is laughing at me because of it. I shall take you at your prior word that I may make myself free of Moddey, and unless you object, will plan to spend at least some of the Easter holidays. If you have ever cared a whit for me you will ensure the laboratory is free of anyone under the age of twenty.