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[alt_poppy]

Well. This is annoying. I'm afraid I've failed at a perfectly simple task after we went to a deal of fuss for a look at the book.

We talked our way past the door wardens and fairly badgered our way into the Headmistress's office (where she's not allowed either of us for weeks). Pomona managed it all perfectly and drew Minerva out of her office while I contrived to be left behind. All I had to do then was find the book, open it, and copy any entries inside. Pomona had the far more difficult task of decoying Minerva for long enough that I could manage that.

And now it seems I failed at a spell I use nearly every day.

Here is the list exactly as it appears on the page I used to take the copy:

Cameron Happer at South Ribble
Heidi Clarke at Bassetlaw
Mala Chaudhary at Waveney
Isobel Morris at Derby
                 at      
Seth Hughes at Porlock

I suppose we'll have to do it all again to see about the missing name. Have you ever known a duplio to fail? I never.


Bless.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Odd.

Are you sure it's not a case of a baby - sorry, a baby having died? Or that it's a child outside the wards?

[alt_poppy]

I don't know what the book says about a child outside the wards. Or- well, there was one recently in Ireland. Since the new wards went up, but perhaps Ireland is still considered within the book's territory.

I wonder what it said about Mr Finch-Fletchley. Or was he born here?

If a child dies before coming to school, the book annotates its entry: '(dec.)'

I don't know what would happen if a magical child were stillborn or died before it were named. That's a possibility, I suppose.

[alt_severus]

Odd indeed.

I shall attempt to contrive a perfectly respectable reason for Milland to visit the Headmistress's office — whilst she is at a meal, perhaps — so that you need not repeat your deception, and check again; with luck that will not trigger the spell further.

The other option is for you to borrow Albus's Penseive, and visit the memory to verify. Whether the memory will contain the names clearly enough to remind you depends on how concrete and visual a thinker you are and how closely you studied the page of the book — it is not uncommon for written text, in memories, to be blurred or otherwise imperfect, but there is a chance you might remember them well enough for them to appear in the Penseive.

[alt_poppy]

I'm afraid I was so concerned that they might come back prematurely, I mustn't have looked at more than the first name or two. That was why I was relying on duplio rather than copying the list out by hand as I've done other times I've been there. It seemed time was of the essence.

I doubt it's worth troubling Albus. If you're able to manage a look yourself.


Thank you, Severus. I regret putting you to the trouble.

[alt_severus]

Very well.

And it is no trouble. Or rather, while cleaning up the pretext will be, I shall enjoy the chance to prove to Messrs Weasley and Weasley that they are not the only ones capable of putting potions to explosive use.

[alt_sirius]

Did you just say you're going to pull a prank?

[alt_severus]

You may think of it in that fashion if it will amuse you to do so. I cannot think of a better way to justify the caretaker's presence in the Headmistress's office for an extended amount of time.

[alt_evelyn]

Let us know if you need any help, sir.

[alt_severus]

I believe I have it in hand, Miss Longbottom, but I appreciate your assistance. It is better for you to not know any further details, however; should any of you be discovered in assisting, the Headmistress would undoubtedly be forced to punish you severely lest her unwanted adornment grow suspicious.

[alt_evelyn]

All right then. I suppose it will just have to be a surprise.

[alt_sirius]

Right, all you lot at Hogwarts, watch out the sky doesn't fall on you. Or perhaps Slytherin might take red and gold for its colours, next.

[alt_gredforge]

If only we could watch!

[alt_gredforge]

Send us any notes, hmm?

[alt_severus]

You may cease berating yourself for your perceived failure; the list was properly duplicated. There is, indeed, a blank line beneath Isobel Morris and above Seth Hughes. I watched it for thirty minutes to see if it would change, but it did not.

[alt_alice]

I hope that's not the case. Perhaps it's like the Lees, where they were confusing the twins and the names kept switching back and forth? Only that listed the location well enough.

[alt_justin]

Madam Pomfrey,

I was born here, in England. Sorry not to be of more help.

I say, it couldn't be in an area already under the Fidelius, could it? One of the women we rescued from Strangeweale, for example?

-Finch-Fletchley

[alt_hermione]

No, I don't think so. I mean, we've had word about them if all the pregnant women in Bedford started having their babies. Also, isn't it a bit too soon? Maybe not for one or two of them but surely we'd have heard from someone.

Although....

Mr Longbottom, could it be Saltash?

[alt_poppy]

I trust we'll hear when there are births at Bedford or Aldrich. Or Saltash.

Saltash is an excellent thought for this oddity.

An excellent thought.

Frank?