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[alt_lupin]

Did everything go smoothly yesterday, Poppy? Arthur?

Alice's owl arrived with the drawings and letters for Puneet's parents. Perhaps we can make another try for him tomorrow, or this weekend.

That will bring us to Ethan, Ivy, and Sirius. I think the theory that Ivy is a Traveler and Sirius's parents are in hiding somewhere, or with some group like Sherwood's, are sound. Regarding Ethan -- how long do people want to wait? One of the things I've heard about Leap babies is that sometimes they show their magic earlier, which could be awkward.

Minerva, have you checked the book again lately? (Sorry to nag.)

Comments

[alt_poppy]

No, the Strettons were not involved directly. There was an overseer for the particular farm where the outbreak occurred. (I presume one of the umpteen copies of the forms went to the owners, but we had no dealings with them.)

I went clothed in St M's green and gave my name as 'Anne Hill'; Arthur was in standard work robes and said he was 'Mr Brinkley' from the Ministry. No one wanted to see actual credentials, though we had them. Completely false, of course.

[alt_alice]

And... just to clarify, are the questions about the baby, or about the measles?

[alt_alice]

I would imagine questions about the measles might lead to questions about the baby, of course... so I don't suppose it matters terribly much.

[alt_poppy]

Well, yes, that's a worry.

The inspection was triggered because the Strettons failed to report that they had a Measles outbreak, which wouldn't ordinarily have been a problem. No one expects employers to care about Muggles' health unless there's some chance of epidemic, or a possibility that wizards might fall sick of something dire, or a likelihood that someone in some other department might come to hear of the matter and think something should have been done about it.

I'm not honestly sure which of those things set them in motion; it could have been any of those things. Whatever the reason, Healer Locksley reports that a team have been sent out to the Stretton farms today.

[alt_sirius]

If Perks is questioned, she might try to lie to protect you, Poppy. Best tell her not to worry about that. Your involvement in everything up to yesterday was within your brief and you can honestly say you were acting out of interest for her well-being, if anyone at St M's gets shirty with you.

But if she tries to lie she'll find herself in a hot cauldron and that might well create loads of problems for everyone.

[alt_poppy]

Quite true, though there's no very good way of communicating that to her without seeming guilty of something if my message were read.

Sticking my head in the Strettons' fire would be as suspicious as writing the child a 'private' message over the journals.

[alt_sirius]

Right. And our Hermione can't tell her without all but confirming to her that you're involved with the Order.

This is getting far too complicated.

Bugger.

[alt_poppy]

Quite true.

In any case, I'm choosing not to worry on that account.

I have great confidence in Miss Perks' good head. One might credit her with the best qualities of her House, but perhaps it's sounder to credit her with simple good sense and higher than average intelligence.

[alt_gredforge]

Nor can we.

Unless...no. Too bad we've already had the Quidditch Day at the Burrow. Because maybe we could have framed it as 'friendly advice from older students' if she had brought it up. And we could have maneuvered the conversation round to it, since she'd already talked about the sick kids she saw.

This inspection probably means she's going to find out that the baby's been declared dead. There's no getting around it, if they decide to ask her questions.

[alt_poppy]

I expect she already knows. It would be unlike Miss Perks not to have checked on those children, so I expect she's been informed.