ORDER ONLY: The events of last night.

[alt_mcgonagall]

Well, what a night.

I have pieced together the events as follows - Professor Macnair's troll got loose somehow, it's unclear; Miss Granger was sulking in the ladies' loo and the troll came after her; Mr Marvolo et al decided they needed to play hero.

That awful Skeeter woman somehow managed to follow Mr Lupin and myself to the loo where the fracas took place, and she seems to have written an incredible amount of claptrap for the Daily Prophet - but never fear; the fourth estate has its own logic which reflects nothing whatsoever going on in the mind of the actual government. Initially, it is true, the Lord Protector was angry with Hermione - but a combination of my intercession and young Mr Marvolo's statements encouraged him to change his mind, and he eventually seemed rather touched that she was so affected by the accident with his birthday present. No, Arthur, I do not believe he ever got quite so far as to destroy her, but I do believe that he could have been goaded that way, had anyone seen a benefit in it. 

When I returned to my office after that conversation, I found that my hands were shaking. I never realise how serious these conversations are until after I am out of them, and then I realise it in my very bones.

Of course, the Carrows were already angry with being left out of the reception, and as a result Professor Macnair is in some very hot water; there is no evidence whatsoever that he was involved with the troll's escape, apart from discovering it, but Amycus and Alecto appear to have seized on it like dogs at a bone. The Lord Protector is more doubtful, but he nevertheless believes that it was an attempt on his life - foolish, perhaps, but it might have been intended as a diversion, I suppose. In any case, Professor Macnair shall be in the doghouse for quite some time, and I suspect we shall have to seat him at the opposite end of the table from Amycus and Alecto or else never get any peace.

From the Lord Protector's position, the troll's release actually was in some ways positive: at least the news cycle was not entirely taken up with the Grim Truth. Nevertheless, Sirius, he is astoundingly angry. He's sent squads of hit wizards after you - I hardly need tell you how dangerous they can be - and though I do not know the details, I would tell you to flee. Now. Move as often as you can. Of course I will let you know when the search seems, on this end, to have slacked.

And what am I left with? A raging headache, cheek from Regulus Black, and damage all throughout the castle.

Comments

[alt_poppy]

Do you need me to bring you something for the headache, Minerva?

Order Only

[alt_molly]

Minerva, think of it as a test which you passed with flying colours. If you can get through dealing with an angry and suspicious Lord Protector after a troll has been rampaging through the castle and threatening his son, then surely you can get through anything. Look at it this way: none of his future visits could ever be so stressful!

I think Ron is expecting a Howler at breakfast, but I don't think he'll be receiving one. I was very frightened when I heard he was missing and we didn't know what was going on, I'll admit. But Arthur and I talked it over, and I've had a day to think about it. Well, of course I don't want him running after trolls! But it sounds as though Ron and the rest truly did save Hermione. Would I have preferred her to be killed, if it meant Ron would stay safe? Yes, he's just a boy . . but Arthur keeps telling me that Ron was sorted into Gryffindor for a reason, and that's how we meant to raise him--to be somebody who's willing to look out for others. I'm proud of him. I am. It's just--

All day long I've been thinking of Gideon and Fabian, and how they died.

Re: Order Only

[alt_mcgonagall]

I suppose so - although he was rather too upset to pay much mind to me, thank heavens.

I'm sorry, Molly.

[alt_sirius]

Judging from Malfoy's latest (and yes, as a precaution, I'm now reading every word that monster has to say. Damn, he's verbose), they've decided that somehow I have the power to control the minds of both trolls and 11-year-old girls long-distance. Ah, well. At least the Grim Truth caused a bit of a stir, even without the troll clouding it up. I know you think that's a good thing, the distraction from my article. Probably is, in one sense. On the other it doesn't seem to matter anymore what I do or don't do, I'm being blamed for all of it. But they can send all the assassins they please; I'm not stopping.

I want to start looking for Shacklebolt, but I can't drop out of sight completely or my Cullenden alias will become obvious. But I'm planning to strike out after him at any rate (and I'm trying to line up jobs for Nigel that will parallel my search). Also, I've got to give Arthur the code he needs to pick up that package and I've left instruction with Ahmet to post another one in about a week. It's all sealed, so there should be no problem on his end and we'll just have to hope that the contents stand up to the Ministry's inspection. I haven't heard anything from Agatha about our shipment sitting in the warehouse at Calais, though, and that worries me. I'm going to owl her just before I leave.

I plan to be on the move for a while, starting where Arthur said Shacklebolt was last heard from and going from there to try to find him. If you don't hear from me for a bit, don't worry. I'll be fine.

[alt_mcgonagall]

I shan't worry. I never do.