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Apr. 13th, 2015 07:14 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
alt_poppyAlice, Remus, Albus, All:
First off: I'm safe, and have all my faculties and limbs intact.
I had, however, quite a close shave in Salisbury last night. Albus: Merridel Hedges is no longer one of ours.
I noticed the warding as soon as I entered the inn, but I didn't suspect it was anything more sinister than security to keep anyone from surprising them. In the event, it was rather more sinister, indeed.
The gathering began normally enough with people trailing in, sharing their own news and other people's, and there was the usual fuss about finding the programme on the wireless. There were a number of first- or second-time visitors, and there was lots of sharing about how they'd all first heard about the 'fugitive station' and how they'd come to learn about the listening parties.
And naturally, there was lots of chat about my being there, and how long it had been since this or that one had seen me, and stories of the accidents and ailments that had laid them up in the hospital wing all those years ago. And then, of course, they told how shocked they'd been when I'd had to leave the school. (No one ever speaks of Pomona, but there are mournful looks that say she's on the minds of many.) I was momentarily taken aback when the talk turned to that 'Professor Brutka', who'd come from France and turned out to be one of us. It's never come up, and to be honest, I'd forgotten that outside a small circle, no one knows that was you, Albus.
That topic passed, thankfully, as it was getting on towards time for 'The Tuckers', and several people wanted to know if I've met Ms Morgansen and were quite enchanted to think I had done. What is she like in person? Is she tall or tiny? Pleasant or annoying? Could I bring them signed copies of her books? Or her signature on a serviette, even? And then Merridel Hedges turned the questions to the programming and the presenters, and who else besides Astra Morgansen were writing for the shows? And where on earth were they broadcasting from? Was it one, fixed location or were they having to always be moving about?
... And somewhere in there I began to have a very bad feeling about where this might all be tending. But then the music came on and the recap of last episode, and everyone was buzzing about what an appalling thing Tertius Apsted had done, and whether we'd have to wait and wait to learn whether Susan Hopping is really Elbert Candle's daughter, and whatever is the story behind Norbert Veigle's limp?
Then, just as the first scene started, there was a scuffling beyond the door, and in burst the Watch. It was madness. People launched themselves every which way. Chairs overturned. Naturally, Apparition had been warded against. And the wards... they'd been set to hold in anyone who'd not been told the counter and given a key stone. I was fortunate that someone looked out for me in the midst of the chaos.
Spells flew. I was briefly Petrified and rolled under a table, but Harry Clover, kindly soul that he is, Finitéd the spell, and someone else hustled me to the cellar door, and then I was rushing down ladders and through tunnels, and out into the night. As soon as I could, I apparated away, and made several quite random hops until I honestly couldn't risk another. I'm out in the western reach of Northumberland now--out above Kielder water--in a trekker's bothy, and I believe I'll stay put here today. It's a peaceful spot.
About last night: I'm painfully certain it was a trap in which I was not only a target but the bait to draw others in. I'm afraid many of the newcomers were arrested and many of the established members. Certainly, their identities are now known to the authorities, and if they got clear, they won't have been able to go home. One fears for their families.
If there's anything we can do for them, I'd like us to try.
First off: I'm safe, and have all my faculties and limbs intact.
I had, however, quite a close shave in Salisbury last night. Albus: Merridel Hedges is no longer one of ours.
I noticed the warding as soon as I entered the inn, but I didn't suspect it was anything more sinister than security to keep anyone from surprising them. In the event, it was rather more sinister, indeed.
The gathering began normally enough with people trailing in, sharing their own news and other people's, and there was the usual fuss about finding the programme on the wireless. There were a number of first- or second-time visitors, and there was lots of sharing about how they'd all first heard about the 'fugitive station' and how they'd come to learn about the listening parties.
And naturally, there was lots of chat about my being there, and how long it had been since this or that one had seen me, and stories of the accidents and ailments that had laid them up in the hospital wing all those years ago. And then, of course, they told how shocked they'd been when I'd had to leave the school. (No one ever speaks of Pomona, but there are mournful looks that say she's on the minds of many.) I was momentarily taken aback when the talk turned to that 'Professor Brutka', who'd come from France and turned out to be one of us. It's never come up, and to be honest, I'd forgotten that outside a small circle, no one knows that was you, Albus.
That topic passed, thankfully, as it was getting on towards time for 'The Tuckers', and several people wanted to know if I've met Ms Morgansen and were quite enchanted to think I had done. What is she like in person? Is she tall or tiny? Pleasant or annoying? Could I bring them signed copies of her books? Or her signature on a serviette, even? And then Merridel Hedges turned the questions to the programming and the presenters, and who else besides Astra Morgansen were writing for the shows? And where on earth were they broadcasting from? Was it one, fixed location or were they having to always be moving about?
... And somewhere in there I began to have a very bad feeling about where this might all be tending. But then the music came on and the recap of last episode, and everyone was buzzing about what an appalling thing Tertius Apsted had done, and whether we'd have to wait and wait to learn whether Susan Hopping is really Elbert Candle's daughter, and whatever is the story behind Norbert Veigle's limp?
Then, just as the first scene started, there was a scuffling beyond the door, and in burst the Watch. It was madness. People launched themselves every which way. Chairs overturned. Naturally, Apparition had been warded against. And the wards... they'd been set to hold in anyone who'd not been told the counter and given a key stone. I was fortunate that someone looked out for me in the midst of the chaos.
Spells flew. I was briefly Petrified and rolled under a table, but Harry Clover, kindly soul that he is, Finitéd the spell, and someone else hustled me to the cellar door, and then I was rushing down ladders and through tunnels, and out into the night. As soon as I could, I apparated away, and made several quite random hops until I honestly couldn't risk another. I'm out in the western reach of Northumberland now--out above Kielder water--in a trekker's bothy, and I believe I'll stay put here today. It's a peaceful spot.
About last night: I'm painfully certain it was a trap in which I was not only a target but the bait to draw others in. I'm afraid many of the newcomers were arrested and many of the established members. Certainly, their identities are now known to the authorities, and if they got clear, they won't have been able to go home. One fears for their families.
If there's anything we can do for them, I'd like us to try.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 03:15 pm (UTC)How have we been communicating with Hedges? Button network or something else?
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 04:19 pm (UTC)But now I wonder if it wasn't the captain of the watch who had that scheme. I can't understand the betrayal, quite, and it seems to me that if one of the watch had got some information on Merribel, they could have coerced her. That would make it even more clear why the watch would have gone it alone without involving MLE. They wanted all the glory for themselves.
As for contacting her, that been with Albus' owl scheme, so not the buttons, no. We've known Merribel Hedges for years.
I'm afraid I'm taking it rather personally. And I know that's wrong. I'm sorry.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 04:50 pm (UTC)If you come up with a list, we might make some inquiries, but I'm not certain what can be done, outside of offering sanctuary to the families -- and given the circumstances, I'd be more than a little skittish.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 06:44 pm (UTC)* Verity Bristow
* Evangeline Tippet (family lives very near the Cathedral)
* Ralph Nubblehurst
* Griselda Bale
* Chodicus Techburne (a first timer who came because he'd heard I was to be there)
* Addelphia Meyers (also new to the group)
* Bellamy Numpkins
* Henry Dun
* Trudelia Hinchel (another Albus's friends)
* Nick Steele
* a fellow called Stickleback (I've forgotten his given name)
* Susan Hurst
* Philo Ostermann (It was lovely to see him, and I'd be so sorry if he came to harm)
* Avril Ballard
I think the Brownes--owners of the Bramble Inn where we met--must have been in it with Merribel.
Nelda Feingold should have got away: she's the one that led me down the trap to the cellar and saw me clear of the wards. She's not got any family, so far as I'm aware, so I think we can trust her to have made her own escape.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 08:04 pm (UTC)Trudelia Hinchel has been visibly estranged from her family for some time, but I believe that to be a public fiction. Something is nagging at me about the Myers family, as well.
Private Message to Albus
Date: 2015-04-13 08:59 pm (UTC)I feel as if I could apparate again safely now, and I'd very much like you to have a look at this memory. If that's possible.
Re: Private Message to Albus
Date: 2015-04-13 09:14 pm (UTC)There's a converted railway car near Robin Hood's Bay, in some deep woodland just south of Sneaton. Quite private.
Three hours from now would give me time to finish my current task and retrieve the Pensieve.
Re: Private Message to Albus
Date: 2015-04-13 09:19 pm (UTC)I've a message for you from our friends in Dunfermline, as well. And we can take the opportunity to consult about the visits I've lined up for the rest of the week. Naturally, I'd like your thoughts on security.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-14 02:45 am (UTC)Poppy, if you can pass along any names to Alice, I'll find out what I can. Don't worry, Alice, I'll be very careful.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-14 04:27 am (UTC)Add Fey Morley and Abruptus Finche to the list above.
Thank you, Bill.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 09:33 pm (UTC)Sorry, only that sounds interesting.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 09:42 pm (UTC)It can vary a bit, but the basic shape of the scheme is to combine a particular owl (colour or breed) with a message that wouldn't raise any suspicions were it intercepted--but, at the same time, one that will be immediately recognised as our code by the recipient who knows what's what.
For instance, if we want to meet, you get an innocuous, but coded, message from your proctologist about his fees that's brought by a nearly black owl, and you reply with a code that agrees to the time/place we've suggested.
If we're concerned about your safety, it's a snowy owl with a coded message from a specialty bake shop.
If we need you to send us supplies or money, or we want to introduce you to another friend who needs your assistance, then we send a great horned owl and a letter from a bland charitable organisation that's touting its successes and boasting about its executive director or its volunteers.
All of this, of course, depends on the recipient's knowing our codes and being familiar with the significance of our choice of owls, but it's served us well for many years.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 09:45 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 09:50 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 05:44 pm (UTC)My own visits have gone smoothly enough, once I demonstrate my bona fides, but I am visiting the decidedly solitary and suspicious as a rule. A different puzzle than groups.
I suppose Brutka would confuse a great many. And very few know I am inside the wards.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-13 06:54 pm (UTC)Your secrets remain safe, Albus, so far as I'm aware.
no subject
Date: 2015-04-14 02:39 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-04-14 04:28 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-04-14 04:35 am (UTC)And, of course, I know I'm taking risks, but I do take care.
I'm not going to stop, either, but I will certainly increase my level of vigilance.
(You may imagine that I've heard Alastor's voice in my ear all day.)