Order Only Private Message to Sirius Black and Draco Malfoy

[alt_poppy]

I've been listening to the grim 'details' on the WWN. About Effie Nesbitt and her family.

Bless.

What I need to know... is whether you were actually there. And if so, what went wrong.

I hadn't realised  you'd Alice had  

Perhaps you knew she was one of the Healers I've been in touch with, in hopes of recruiting help?

I'd not had an answer from her yet, which- well, I'd taken it to mean she didn't think she could persuade Avi her husband, or didn't want to displace the whole family. But I can't imagine they'd have given anyone cause to pull a wand against them.


Surely the whole report is false? Tell me please that they've made all of it up whole-cloth.

Comments

[alt_sirius]

Who is Effie Nesbitt?

I'm not sure where Draco is but I flew down to Dover yesterday, trying to help Cedric talk the French into letting Aleks's shipments through. And I've been here all day.

If you're listening to the WWN, Poppy, it's a fair guess whatever they're saying is a lie.

[alt_poppy]

Of course.

Of course, it is.

All right, then.

It's nearly as disturbing this way, though. They've got an eyewitness: her son. He's certain he saw you and Draco. And the motorbike.

I'm sorry. It's only that he sounds so entirely certain and is so specific in his description. And doesn't at all sound as if he's been Imperiused or coerced to lie. Either he saw you or a very well-disguised imposter. Or has been made to believe he did.

You should turn it on if you've got a wireless handy. It's an ugly story, and one we're going to need to counter.

[alt_sirius]

They've got a witness who says he saw me and Draco killing his mother?

Poppy, I'm sorry about your friend. And that the story startled you.

I'll see what I can do to hear it.

[alt_sirius]

Oh, for the -

It's in the Prophet, too. Someone here has a copy.

No photos, that's a mercy.

But he says he saw us flying away from the scene. Bollocks.

Is it possible he's giving false testimony willingly? Could he have found out she was interested in joining us and turned her in himself?

[alt_poppy]

That could be it, I suppose.

Only he sounds so devastated. Not angry with her, but vengeful towards us.

It's been two years, perhaps, since I've seen him, but I've had supper with the family now and then, and he always seemed to have grown into a sensible young man. It's difficult for me to think he is lying about us willingly. But perhaps it's the only thing he can think to do?

And yet, he sounds so completely persuaded of what he saw.

I suppose I may be underestimating the power of acting and self-preservation as a motive.

[alt_sirius]

Imperius?

[alt_poppy]

But one can hear the detachment, and he simply doesn't sound it. Nor confunded.

[alt_poppy]

If they wanted to find someone who would be believed to have been approached by the Order, it's certainly true that any number of people would know Effie and I have been friendly over the years. Meetings at St M's and training seminars. Social gatherings.

It makes me worry for anyone else I'm known to have been acquainted with. Especially people I've had open exchanges with in the journals, though without their archives, I'd have thought- And all my communication's been secretive since-

Why else would they have chosen Effie than for her connection to me? If they were planning to stage a crime they could blame on us.

But then, I know so very many people--I've traded on that familiarity again and again, recruiting for us and raising funds. And everyone who's been at the school 'knows' me or feels they do.

I'm sorry. My mind's still whirling.

[alt_sirius]

This is the same tactic they always use, Poppy. Find people who might be used to hurt us, indirectly.

Don't drive yourself round the twist trying to ascribe motives. We'll address what needs to be addressed and hope that more people are skeptical than believe this tripe.

I'm truly sorry it's coming home to roost for you, though.