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[alt_gredforge]

Hermione, when Terry found that bottle that had his blood mixed with that potion that Carrow used for his blood spell and sent it to you, what did you do with it? You sent it on to someone to research it? Who was that? Stephen at Moddey Dhoo? Or Severus Snape? Did whoever-it-was figure anything out about it?

We found out Carrow's laying more blood spells on him. Maybe something else, too. We're not sure what, or how. But he's messing with the kid more somehow. Maybe because the git's sister is there now, egging him on.

So, Headmistress...did you set a time to duel the bastard?

Comments

[alt_sirius]

He's WHAT?!

Merlin, and here I was just popping on to tell you all about Dora's teatime with Bellatrix's brat.

Who is ... not really a brat, I have to admit.

But who is most likely an instrument of her mother's will.

But Mordred - Fred, George, we can't get in to Lincoln any better than anyone else. And if she's inside, then there's less chance than ever we'd be able to extract the secret from her and get behind the Fidelius.

Do you know what sort of blood magic? Snape told us that the sorts of spells Carrow's likely to have used to bind Terry to him would have to be replenished now and then to reinforce their full strength. Is that what the bastard was doing?

[alt_gredforge]

All right. We have to be careful what we say. But here's what we've gleaned from our source.

Both of them were involved in putting the spell on him. 'They' put it on him. Or spells. He spoke of 'spells,' as in plural. It either happened last night or he was still suffering the effects of it last night. It seems to have made him physically ill--there were hints that vomiting was involved. And it either addled him or upset him horribly. He couldn't write correctly, like he couldn't spell. And you know that way he writes when he's being boot? We mean, boot the mudblood--like not using punctuation or capitalising?

See, he thinks of himself as sort of being two people. There's crawling boot, the mudblood, that Carrow sees, that writes his public entries. And there's Terry, who only comes out behind the Lock. Terry knows how to write properly, and he knows he's a real wizard. Well, last night, behind the Lock, it was like boot was back. And this is the really worrisome thing...he said something that didn't make much sense, and, well, when someone was trying to figure it out, sort of probing, boot really snarled at the person.

He's never done that. Never.

Now he's clammed up, and we don't really know what's going on.

Not sure if that makes much sense. But that's the best information we have.

[alt_frank]

we sent it to snape last time around for analysis, and worked out what sort of binding was going on based on his description.

the best we can do right now is wait until he recovers enough to tell you what's happened, and see if we can't sort it out.

seems like it's different than it was last time, though.

maybe it's something to do with alecto? and her being sick?

oh, Merlin.

maybe they switched the poison to him, somehow.

[alt_frank]

he's still alive.

he's still writing.



damn.

[alt_sirius]

Bugger all, Frank.

[alt_frank]

I know.

[alt_gredforge]

Oh, shite!

[alt_frank]

they wouldn't kill him that way, I don't think.

not his style.

so there's that.

maybe... snape, would a bezoar be too late? would it be worth it to send him one? I know you two have a system set up, but if it took a day to get there would it be any help at all?

[alt_sirius]

Bezoars are usually for immediate intervention, though.

Bugger. Bugger bugger bugger.

[alt_frank]

if that's what it is, we have no way of knowing what sort of poison it is. and knowing those sick fucks, this might be a process they'll have to repeat again to not kill him outright with it.

no way of knowing if that's actually it, mind, but from what I see we've got two things to do. find out what the poison is so we could sort out how to combat its effects, and send him a bezoar for if there's a next time.

Snape, thoughts? anything? can you match her recent symptoms with a certain kind of poison?

[alt_frank]

sorry hermione

[alt_severus]

A bezoar would not hurt. I am pleased to see that it occurred to others—perhaps our education was not entirely in vain.

As I understand it, Alecto's symptoms include labored breathing, sallowness of skin, clawed hands, and general emaciation. Am I correct?

[alt_poppy]

Add fatigue, light sensitivity, and general malaise to that list. Based on general observation, as she refused to allow treatment of any kind.

[alt_severus]

It could, perhaps, be belladonna poisoning—but she would surely have noticed a sweet taste to her food.

[alt_poppy]

Would it have been in food, though?

Granted, she takes fewer meals at the staff table than most, but solitary meals would be even harder to affect, house elves being what they are.

[alt_severus]

Where else could it be introduced? Does she drink a particular elixir—or have a particular tipple? I have not noticed any such, but as you say, she takes fewer meals at the staff table than most.

[alt_gredforge]

We should send him one anyway. If not now, maybe it'd still save him some day. He can keep it in one of the beads of his bracelet.

We've got a really small owl trained to do stealth deliveries to him when the git's not around. Generally Saturday or Sunday mornings, when the git's sleeping off a binge. Thing is, he said not to do it this weekend while the sister's there. Too many eyes watching, maybe. Or the routine's been thrown off.

If you've got one, though, Snape, send it to us anyway, and we'll send it on when he says it's safe.

If he's still alive. Shite, shite, shite.

(Sorry, mum.)

[alt_severus]

I shall.

On another note, I intended to say: However much I may find you personally grating, I am more than aware that you are an asset to the Order of the Phoenix. Therefore I will be pleased to tutor you in Potions—but only if you agree to receive Occlumency lessons as well.

You may take 'class' with Miss Granger. I expect you shall be on approximately the same level.

[alt_gredforge]

You'd do that for us? Thank you, sir. Thank you! We'll study really hard, we promise. We know how important this is. Especially the occlumency.

[alt_molly]

I'll add my thanks, too, Severus. I'm grateful.

[alt_severus]

You are quite welcome.

[alt_severus]

If you feel so determined to show your thanks, you might begin by attempting to find some of the rarer Potions ingredients which—sadly—I cannot trust Poppy to part with for my 'less-than-vital' needs.

I have heard that you are miracle-workers.

[alt_molly]

Perhaps I can help, too, Severus. Our barter network sometimes shades into the grey market. Could you send me some suggestions for whatever ingredients might be particularly helpful and valued? I would be more than happy to see what I can do.

[alt_severus]

I shall. Allow me some time to inventory my stores.

[alt_gredforge]

We're happy to get on it, too.

[alt_hermione]

Do you really think so?!

I mean to say, I couldn't possibly have come that far, could I?

[alt_severus]

Miss Granger, you may have your foibles, but you are quite far from the dunderheads that generally populate Hogwarts Castle.

[alt_hermione]

Does that mean 'yes, you have come that far'??

You should really say what you mean, you realise.

[alt_severus]

No Slytherin would ever do so.

[alt_molly]

I'd say the language is quite warranted in this case.

Oh, that poor boy.

[alt_frank]

he can also get blood.
his blood.

with the poison in it.

maybe thatd help

send a vial with the bzor.

[alt_frank]

and
you know

ints instructions.

[alt_hermione]

I sent it to Severus. I suppose he probably still has it?

Do you?? You must, simply MUST help Terry. You have to. You don't

I mean he was my first ever friend at Hogwarts.

[alt_severus]

I shall do my best, but you are certainly not helping by behaving like a panicked child.

[alt_hermione]

Well that isn't fair!!

[alt_severus]

It most certainly is.

[alt_molly]

Well, she is a child, so perhaps we can be kind.

Never mind, dear. As you can see, he may growl, but he is sending a bezoar, too. All of us will do what we can to help.

[alt_hermione]

Thank you, Mrs Weasley. I know you would do anything for him too.

I wish he were my brother, then he would HAVE to go to Moddey Dhoo or somewhere.