|
|
|
Locked to the Order of the Phoenix and the Auror Office
There are no pleasant surprises these days.
I went out on assignment to the apothecary of Ms Martha McNalley. We received an owl requesting the aid of the Auror Office in checking her business and flat. My arrival in Theoretic Alley did not go as unnoticed as I had hoped. I'm not in that area of London terribly often. I have never encountered so many Londoners who are all of curious, nosy, personable and overly interested in comings and goings. A couple wizards and witches actually followed me to the apothecary, and I got a bit irritable at that point with their incessant chatter about all the things they had been noticing lately around the apothecary. I can honestly say that about one in fifteen things they would say was of any possible interest to me. Some of them actually tried to come in when I prepared to enter the premises. I wasn't very polite because I knew I was probably dealing with a death or a murder. The bluey-green light that was apparently visible through the curtains (according to the owl we received) worried me about the possibility of a Dark Mark. My hope was that it was a Muggle telly that she owned that she'd left on while on holiday, though, because it was inside and not over the edifice. She was, according to the very irritating neighbours, wont to remain at the shop at all times. In I went, and with it went any hope but not the onlookers, whom, though I told them to bugger off, pretended to be going about their business at an annoyingly close proximity to the apothecary.
The whole place reeked. Vials, jars, bottles, vases, tanks and glass boxes had been smashed everywhere, but it was clearly not the entire stock -- there would have been much more if all of her products had been there. I suspect theft of some of the increasingly rarer ingredients. The smell was overpowering, but it wasn't just the reek of mouldered, rotted and putrefied items. If there's one smell I can't forget, it's the smell of decaying human, and that smell pervaded the whole place. One bloody neighbour actually walked by and seemed to realize what it was, because I saw him hurry off through the crack in the door and convene with some friends. I realise it is against traditional practise to leave the door open, especially with a potential murder, Dark Mark and lots of nosy people, but I worried about the air being poisoned by expired potions ingredients, or possibly broken ones, which proved to be the case. The air was so heavy and thick in there, it's a pity that the situation was what it was because a few ingredients had combined on the floor to make several very intriguing substances.
As I moved towards the upstairs, whatever -- whoever -- was rotting there was completely overpowering the spilt ingredients, which is saying something. I've always had a horrible gag reflex, and I couldn't hold back retching. I apologise to whoever the Ministry cleanup crew was. If anyone from the office knows, pass the word along? I was able to keep my composure after that, there's always just the initial response for me, though, and also to stop my nose with a convenient spell that Bill taught me.
Worryingly, it wasn't hard to get through her door, but something green and enormous came rushing at me and I thought I was done for. I fell back, down the stairs, and got a number of lacerations. A huge green snake came bursting through the open door, but it was followed by a skull and a putrid stench -- the Dark Mark. Martha McNalley was definitely the one dead in that room, and I could only hope she was the only one. I've never seen one behave like that, but I later ascertained that she had charmed and warded much of the flat to make it contain magic of any sort. Must have been the type to please the neighbours. By Merlin, though, I have never witnessed such barbarity and savagery. Whoever attacked Martha must have taken a cue from Emmeline's murderer, but in my opinion, having seen the scene photos of Emmeline's murder, this one was worse. The patterns of the blood stains indicated to me that she was bodily tortured for some time before being dismembered, and even then, other stains indicated that she was still alive for parts of that. There were great splashes across the walls, which seemed to be where she had been running around. Scorch marks everywhere, and all over, Martha herself, placed in a circular pattern around the room. One thing I gained from my audience with the neighbours was that Martha was scrupulously clean and that they had been noticing insects. And insects there were. They were ferociously working on Martha's remains when I arrived. I cleared them with a few immobilising and mild fumigating charms, but it still made me gag, despite not being able to smell anything. The most horrible part of the whole grotesque scene was that her head had been made to float in the center of the circle, and somehow or for some reason the insects had avoided it. Whoever did this was beyond sick. I never thought I would valourise the Killing Curse, but in this instance and in Emmeline's, Avada Kedavra would have been a downright merciful action.
Mad-Eye Moody arrived not long after I had immobilised the insects and done a cursory fumigation. He seemed to have gotten caught by the gathering number of visitors outside the doors. What happened to the cold and distant mentality of these troubled times?
The Prophet arrived eventually after more Ministry officials arrived on the scene for cleaning up and the gathering of evidence. I hate being photographed.
Locked to the Order
By the looks of it, Martha defended herself, if only a little. I think I may have obtained a little blood and a hair or two from the killer, but I can't be sure. I've got a little of both from Martha to check it against. It may be useful for us, who knows?
We could add it to Polyjuice and see who we turn into, but I'm sure there are a variety of other options that would better utilise what very little we have. Severus? Minerva? ...Albus?
|
|
Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006
|
|
|
Locked to Remus Lupin
I caught wind of something bad happening with you but nothing further than that. Are you all right? Just a bad transformation, I hope.
|
|
Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
Locked to friends, coworkers and the Order
It's been an interesting couple of weeks. I've been running around getting everything done that I couldn't do while I was being tracked. With that threat gone, I've been able to go back to the office, and take care of my flat. I didn't dare go back there during all that mess, particularly after the Margate murders. All my plants died, most of them magical ones. I'll have to talk to Professor Sprout someone about replacing the rarer ones. Though, it might be nice to be rid of them in case something happens again. I really hope it doesn't.
Well, I'm back in the running. I've got everything stocked, my regular hours at the Ministry and everything!
Locked to the Order
How can I help?
|
|
Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
To the Order of the Phoenix and close friends of Tonks
He's caught; he's finally caught.
Remus, Mad-Eye, Kingsley and I coordinated and went to the Weird Sisters concert in Cardiff at the School of Continuing Magical Education's concert hall. Remus was disguised as my date, as I had won two tickets, and Mad-Eye and Kingsley stationed themselves separately elsewhere in the hall. I utilised my most recognisable and favourite metamorphosis -- bubblegum pink hair with my real face. I didn't immediately find the bloke. He had always been heavily cloaked when I saw him, and nobody there had that disguise, except for that hag that comes to all the concerts, but she's easily singled out.
The concert ended, and we were all extra wary because it seemed that nobody had attempted to make any moves. Well, as everyone started to filter out, he did. Or rather, they did. He wasn't acting alone. There were four of them, apparently all from Harry's year. I recognised Theodore Nott. He's not the same awkward looking kid now; he carries himself with an unnerving confidence and almost loping, predator-like stride, and that's how I caught him. My stalker's gait was unmistakable. His other two accomplices were Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, and they won't name the fourth bloke, and we didn't get enough of a good look at him to accuse anybody. He hung back most of the time, kept his robe hood up, and looked like he had something to obscure his face -- makeup or a mask or even a charm of some sort. For all I know, it could have been a girl, but the fourth one had fairly broad shoulders, so I don't think so.
Seems to me as though they wanted to impress the Dark Lord by hunting down an Auror. I'm lucky they weren't immediately successful, and also that they didn't attack as a group while I was alone. I was very lucky to have my three mates there. Some tricky, horrible magic those kids used, and no mistake.
Dung, you'll be happy to hear I've got Nott in Azkaban on a murder charge for your friends. I know it doesn't bring them back, but the best that I could do has been done. Crabbe and Goyle are still being held at the Ministry as part of the inquiry. They won't say a thing. Nott openly admitted to the Margate murders. He said he was proud to have done it, proud to have eradicated people who stood in the way of the Dark Lord's servants. It's disgusting, I tell you.
I will probably always wonder who the fourth chap was. With those two stones there, it wouldn't have surprised me if it had been Draco, but the other three were in my face so much that I couldn't tell. But it's over.
For now.
|
|
Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Tuesday, April 11th, 2006
|
|
|
Locked to Severus Snape
I know you must be terribly busy with everything, but I need to ask you something. There isn't a chance that Amelia's resignation and Lucius' promotion are connected to the mission we went on, is there?
I know the potions were mixed properly, I just know it... Oh, Godric...
Private
What if this was all my fault? What if I switched the potions and gave Amelia the wrong potion? What if I gave Lucius the helpful potions?
First bottle from the right... second bottle from the left... I'm sure I got it right. Dung couldn't have switched them, they don't even look the same...
Merlin, what if this was all my fault? A Death Eater is the Minister of Magic, and it could be all my fault...
|
|
Comments: Read 1 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Thursday, April 6th, 2006
|
|
|
Locked to the Order of the Phoenix
The following is my report from the mission at the Ministry.
We seem to have made it through the Ministry undetected. We went in on Monday, but in preparing for this weekend's mission, I've been a bit preoccupied trying to cover all the bases. I'm pretty sure Dung made it out okay. If the smell's any indication, then the chap I left in the kitchens after was definitely Dung.
I conducted, at great personal risk not that I could have trusted Dung to protect me anyway the pre-mission handling of Miss Hawthorn and Mr Stout.
At 20:06 on Sunday, I paid a visit to Miss Hawthorn's flat under the pretense of being pursued by a stranger, disguised as a dumpy witch with loads of feathery light brown hair and a ruddy complexion. She was extremely receptive and actually said she had experienced similar circumstances in her time living
in the area. She offered me some tea after checking the wards on her door, which gave me the ideal opportunity to slip her a soporific draught taken from my personal stores at the Ministry. According to my wards, she woke up two hours after her shift ended, at 17:48 under the impression that she had gone to work as usual.
About a kilometre from her flat, I saw not too far what looked like my stalker, who attempted to pursure me. I immediately Apparated from the premises rather than leaving by my planned Apparition point, but I was well out of sight of any Muggles or even Wizards.
Mr Stout was approached in a similar fashion, though it was more difficult to get the soporific potion to him, for, being a male, he did not offer to make me tea. I disguised myself as an attractive, blonde university student. Did I mention that he is a single and very desperate young wizard in his mid-twenties? Yeah. Feigning nervous tremours from my "ordeal," I didn't have to feign them entirely having narrowly escaped the bleeding shadow I have I pulled out some miniature chocolates for fortification and offered him some -- the ones with "firewhisky" in the middle. Well, a combination of firewhisky and soporific draught. Once he had eaten seven of them, the minimum amount required to keep him asleep for the same amout of time as Miss Hawthorn, I departed, but not before he planted a drunken kiss on my cheek and asked for my name so he could owl me. He woke up at 17:54, whether or not the firewhisky had anything to do with it.
The following is a detailed record of my movements throughout the Ministry, in case the information is ever needed in the unlikely event that an inquiry is submitted.
07:34 Took one Polyjuice Cube which was disgusting, by the way, Severus, but still better than the liquid form and practised my new appearance, having taken note of a great number of mannerisms during my visit to Miss Hawthorn's flat.
8:31 Apparated into and disapparated from the alley behind Buns and Biscuits momentarily to check for ambush. Spell indicated the coast was clear.
8:32 Re-Apparated into alley behind Buns and Biscuits.
08:33 Purchased "the usual" from the storekeeper, which turned out to be an extra-choc hot chocolate, a strawberry croissant and a banana. Picked up the bike, and using Point Me, found my way to the Ministry.
09:01 Checked in at the Ministry
09:43 Began baking Scones. Mercifully had help from another member of staff, who politely reminded me that scones do not have treacle in them.
10:11 Scones finished. Only slightly uglier than usual Ministry scones, thanks to helpful staff member.
12:30 Finished the sandwiches just in time. Staff member only slightly suspicious; apparently Miss Hawthorn is fond of late nights out on the town. They were turkey and tomato with rocket and avocado. (My favourite!)
12:46 Dung arrived, sixteen minutes late. Helped me to ice the cakes, and surprisingly, is not half bad. You might consider a more honest trade, Dung! Those fairy cakes looked lovely.
14:11 Carts organised. To ensure the freshest, most potent potions, we mixed the potions as we delivered and were not encountered directly by any staff.
Locked to Severus Snape
14:47 Dung caught outside Percy Weasley's office preparing Veritaserum by Geoffrey Muffle of the Department of Mysteries. May or may not have functioned properly. Any news? Dung distracted him by asking him if he was missing his pocketwatch. Mr Muffle checked, assured him it was still there. As he walked away, Dung LIFTED HIS POCKETWATCH. Could do nothing, as could not properly reprimand him in guise of Miss Hawthorn. Beacon potion was administered without interruption.
Locked to the Order
14:58 As many helpful potions as could be spared administered to Amelia Bones -- Wit Sharpening Potion and Fortification Draught administered with great success.
15:09 Veritaserum administered to Lucius Malfoy. Was so scared that I dumped the entire plate of teacakes onto his desk. I believe I still have all my limbs.
15:36 Mission completed just six minutes over planned time. I have no idea where Dung was for half of it, but I know that at least 97% of the potions were administered with success. Mr Bridges suffered only minor burns after I tripped over the stone toad on his office floor and splashed his tea in his face. Same goes for Mrs Hart and Mr Walpole. All that was shattered were a few teacups and I somehow managed to make a tea spoon stick between the stones in the wall in the main corridor on the third level. I couldn't remove it.
15:42 Checked out of the Ministry of Magic, biked back to Buns and Biscuits. Purchased large supper, much to shopkeeper's surprise. I haven't had proper takeaway for ages!
15:49 Disapparated from the alley behind the cafe.
I do hope you find the report far more satisfactory than Dung's.
Severus, it was an honour to be trusted with the mission, not to listen to you and Dung bicker or to deal with your typically ill humour, but it was much better than usual, thank you.
|
|
Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
Private
Oh dear, I've just thought of something...
Locked to Remus
Wotcher, Remus! Just wondered... had you given any, erm, thought to your outfit for the concert? Goodness, what am I saying? You're a guy, you don't do that. Oh well. What have you got in mind for your disguise for the mission?
Private again
I'd better get together all my extra concert gear. Somehow, I don't know that Remus, for all his wonderful qualities, has got any logo buttons or rock paraphernalia. I wonder how he'd look with his hair gelled? Hmm... or with eyeliner. Ooooh!
|
|
Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Saturday, April 1st, 2006
|
|
|
(Backdated because apparently the last one didn't post!)
Happy birthday, Fred and George?
In the afternoon at Thorne, Tonks will have one of her signature baked pieces out on the kitchen table, meaning that this sponge birthday cake is not only lopsided, but also asymmetrical, not quite round, and appears to have been coated with a heavy layer of dragon dung. Despite all appearances, it tastes wonderful, if anything a bit dense. The chocolate frosting is lumpy but rich, and she has gone so far as to conjure trick candles on top of it that, when blown on, relight. She has spread homemade confetti on the plates and table, and there are coloured parchment chains decorating the kitchen. Some sparkling pumpkin juice stands next to a pile of mismatched cups. A few blinking, colour-change balloons waft about the ceiling.
Of course, everyone at Thorne is invited.
|
|
Comments: Add Your Own.
|
|
|
Locked to the Order of the Phoenix
I've made up my mind. I'm going to the Weird Sisters concert. No, it's much more complicated than that. Snape insightfully suggested that the tickets I "won" weren't by accident. I mean, sure, it was only a matter of time until I won them (there can only be so many fans in the fan club, right?) but look at the timing.
I've got a bloke following me, who, chances are, knows very well that I am an Auror. By the looks of it, he's also not deterred by the fact that I'm a Metamorphmagus. I don't know how he's doing it; I've changed into everything from a distinctly Scandinavian complexion to a Caribbean islander, and still he seems to be there.
I've spoken with Mad-Eye and Kingsley and Remus and they seem keen to keep it to the Order. What I'm personally worried about is there being more than two. Kingsley was right to suggest strength in numbers, but I'm thinking two (or three even, if Dawlish is in) may not be enough. If anything, too many is better than too few, but I know there's loads going on, and I don't want to risk breaking strength elsewhere because I seem to be demanding a fleet of personal body guards. I've just connected enough things to this bloke that I'd worry about the safety of just three, even three well-qualified Aurors. I just don't want to see anybody hurt. We don't need any more of that now at all.
Kingsley and Mad-Eye, you're not obligated to go by any means. I contacted you first because I wasn't sure whether to take the Ministry or Order route, and you fit into both! Of course I'd love to have you there. I'm not terribly fond of playing bait. I just don't want you to feel like you have to not only drag your arses to Cardiff, but also to potentially put yourselves in a bad situation.
Well, on that cheery note, any takers?
Locked to Remus
Well thus far, it looks like Kingsley and Mad-Eye and me. Though I'd love to have some more backup... Kingsley thinks we should bring Dawlish in too. I'd feel guilty for the rest of my life, though, if you were to come to any harm. So, consider the invitation extended, because I trust you so very much, but please don't consider it obligatory. You've got plenty on your plate. Besides the chocolate treat I sent you earlier. Did it make it safely?
Around the time Remus reads this message, a battered tin is delivered to Remus. Upon opening, it looks as though it contains a haggis which has been allowed to rot for several months, coated in chocolate and stirred well. Despite its appearance, a decidedly pleasant aroma rises from the tin -- a decidedly chocolatey aroma. A note, now very chocolatey, is tucked on the side: "Remus -- They were supposed to be chocolate flapjacks but I think the chocolate was supposed to be poured on top, not mixed in. Tastes the same, I suppose, but it looks a bit like goat vomit scary. Hope the mass quantities of chocolate help you feel a little less under the weather after that full moon. The recipe says these will keep for several months, so perhaps they'll stay good for more than one... transformation? Anyway, I'm babbling. All my love, Tonks."
Locked to Kingsley
I've responded in the other post, but yes, I've got a second wand from before Training, why?
|
|
Comments: Read 8 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Thursday, March 16th, 2006
|
|
|
|
Hi Molly! I need a recipe for something chocolatey. Any suggestions?
|
|
Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
Locked to Alastor Moody and Kingsley Shacklebolt
Snape doesn't reckon it was unlucky lucky that I got the Weird Sisters tickets when I did. He's probably right. If I went, I'd probably end up like Dung's poor friends, whom I'm already worried about becoming like. Snape suggested a trap of some sort -- he said "We might smoke someone out with their own trap." Question is, how do we do it, and who? I'm willing to go in as bait, I suppose, if there's any way we can get more than just two of us in. We could take the Ministry route on this one for sure.
|
|
Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
Remus! I know it's a bit belated but I hadn't had a chance to get to a compyuter computer to wish you a happy birthday! Many happy returns, my dear friend. How did your birthday go? If you're free, I'd love to treat you to tea or a drink or something. Just let me know if you can.
Around the time the post is made, Tonks will have a small basket of treats delivered to Remus, including Chocolate Frogs, Ice Mice, Bertie Bott's and a couple boxes of Jumping Jellybeans. There is also a paper packet of homemade scones, which are dead ugly but tasty, and are obviously homemade.
|
|
Comments: Read 7 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
|
Pile of dung! (No offense, Dung.) Go figure that I finally win the Weird Sisters' monthly ticket lotto. I've got two tickets to their next concert at one of my favorite places, and I really shouldn't go. I can't believe it, what bloody rotten luck! Anybody want two Weird Sisters tickets for next month in Cardiff?
|
|
Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Monday, February 13th, 2006
|
|
|
|
Hey, you two. It's been a while since we talked. I had one of your fake wands lying around the office when a friend from Auror Training stopped in. Cynthia Best -- she never did make it through Training, but that's beside the point. Well, she was delighted with the wand and wondered if she could order a case of them for her little boy's birthday party -- she wants custom ones but she's willing to pay a bit more. She's doing a dragon-theme party and wants ones that turn into not-too-scary dragons for the little buggers. She needs twenty-six of them by Wednesday next.
|
|
Comments: Read 2 or Add Your Own.
|
|
|
Locked to the Aurors
Have they found anything yet? About that bloke who's been following me?
|
|
Comments: Add Your Own.
|
|
Sunday, February 5th, 2006
|
|
|
Locked to all of Thursday's dinner guests
Thank you all for coming, it was certainly very refreshing to have some guests over. I also hope to live down tripping headlong over the rug into the sidetable.
Remus, I'm so sorry about spilling the gravy on your robes. Did it come out all right?
|
|
Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Tuesday, January 31st, 2006
|
|
|
I'm going mad here at Thorne; get me out of here?! Visit me?! Organize a catastrophic incident in which a certain stalker gets blown to bits?
I don't know if any of you lot can get away from your obligations, but I would very much like visitors if you can get away for an hour.
I'll be hosting a dinner at Thorne this Thursday evening. Don't worry, I'm not cooking. I've got a friend who's an owl-order caterer. (Seems I have very convenient friends lately.) I just need to know who will be there. I've ordered duck and potatoes and green beans and strawberry-and-clotted-cream tart and some wines. Yeah, I splurged. Call it bribery.
Can anyone come? Please? PLEASE?
Tonks xx
|
|
Comments: Read 5 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Monday, January 30th, 2006
|
|
|
Private
I went inkdarting last night at the safehouses with Ginny, and it was absolutely loads of fun. I can't remember feeling so lighthearted in a long while. I got completely spotty, but Ginny and I spent a lovely evening with a bag of pampering potions that a friend of mine whipped up a while back. I don't use that kind of stuff, often, but I think both of us came out the better for it. Ginny's got a really funky hair colour which I hope Molly doesn't send me a Howler over, and we used some self-applying shampoo and foot soaks that were just fun. I was able to bring one of my favourite Pink Boxes from that patisserie in St. John's Wood and we snacked on the stuff I brought. I laughed a lot -- it felt wonderful to laugh with a good friend.
Locked to Ginny Weasley
I'll be owling you something soon, so keep an eye out for it! Thanks for inviting me over, I had a brilliant evening! I wish I hadn't left early because I got the date wrong for Kingsley's birthday celebration -- it's Sunday next! Oh well, just gives me an excuse to make up for it and visit again, right?
|
|
Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Tuesday, January 24th, 2006
|
|
|
Locked to the Order of the Phoenix
Well, Dung got there before I got it here properly, but as I said in his second-to-last post, I'm putting in a warrant for my stalker's arrest.
As I said in my other post, I'm telling them all that I know, but I'm leaving the Order out of it completely. I said I was going to tell them I was meeting friends, but then... they would ask who the friends were. Instead, I'll tell them I was just going for a drink after work, because I did work that evening and then broke up with Bill after.
Keep me updated, please. Mad-Eye's got escorts all arranged, it sounds like.
Locked to Kingsley Shacklebolt
Looks like Mad-Eye's got you taking me home escorting me back to Thorne after my shifts. Thanks in advance.
I'm contemplating a number of disguises, tell me which you think would be most effective?
That cow on the third floor - pale, long brown hair, brown eyes. I can't quite get her ears but that's no matter. Could be risky if
Your "sister"
American tourist - tanned, ponytailed bleach-blonde hair, hazel eyes, glaringly white trainers.
I dunno, maybe a show girl? Bar wench? Only joking. Talk to you soon.
Locked to Mad-Eye Moody
Thanks for arranging a watch for me. Really. Saves me a load of trouble. Could've asked me first who though... I'm just lucky Kingsley's the one you picked.
Keep an eye out for me, will you? Haha, that's terrible. Sorry.
You'll be sure to tell me if you hear anything, won't you?
Locked to Bill
Sure make a good old lady, though, wouldn't you? :D
|
|
Comments: Read 3 or Add Your Own.
|
|
Monday, January 23rd, 2006
|
|
|
Dear sweet heaven. I don't believe this - the night Dung, Bill, Kingsley and Remus were at Dung's friend's pub in Margate, his friend Al and his wife were murdered. The photograph the Evening Prophet's got looks an awful lot like the figure I've seen following me round. This isn't a coincidence. I've been an Auror too long to think this is all unconnected. I don't even feel safe here at Thorne anymore. And I feel bloody alone. I need to go to the Order, something needs to be done. I feel like I'm pulling some "damsel in distress," but if this chap's wont to murder...
By Merlin, I feel alone.
|
|
Comments: Add Your Own.
|
|
|
![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small}
justtonks's journal