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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_bill]

Ugh.

Dad, is there any parchmentwork we need to plant in any files anywhere at the Ministry to head off more questions?

[alt_arthur]

No, you know I'm always careful about that. This is unusual, that a health inspection taking place the day after a removal. It's a situation quite unlike anything we've ever faced before.

Merlin, I hope the parents don't go to pieces under questions or anything like that.

[alt_bill]

Agreed.

I'm much less well positioned to plant false parchment work at St Mungo's. Although I have a possible helper there, someone in my analyst network I can call in if absolutely necessary. I'd prefer not to use her, however. She's more useful and reliable for information than actual clandestine action.

[alt_arthur]

Let's not endanger ourselves by jumping at shadows. It might raise even more awkward questions.

I will pin my hopes on the fact that most don't care about dead Muggle babies.

[alt_bill]

As long as they continue to think he's dead.

[alt_poppy]

Aren't you cheery today!

[alt_arthur]

As many years as I've had at this job, I've good reason.

Usually, it helps us. I hope it will here, too.

[alt_poppy]

We can hope that they'll be more interested in sticking it to the Strettons that they didn't file whatever reports they were bound to file.

Isn't that what bureaucrats care most about, Arthur? That their rules have been followed?

If they should question the parents, though- Well, I suppose we have to hope that they understand how thoroughly their lives and the child's life depend on their telling the story as we rehearsed it.