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Aberforth Dumbledore - he knows everything (theoldgoat) wrote,
@ 2009-08-18 05:30:00

17 August 1980

[Warded Private to Self]
Well, this wand seems to be working well enough for me. Though when in Merlin’s name did Albus get a secondary wand? I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised. He’d hardly be the first wizard to possess a back-up. It is odd that he chose to use his back-up over the one he’s had since he was boy. And such a strange wand too. It’s made of elder wood, that much I can tell from just looking at it and it’s old. Strange that he’d pick a second-hand wand for his back-up. Ah! Unless it’s the wand that belonged to Gellert? That... would actually make some sense, the old lovestruck fool. Still strange that he’d use that wand over his own.

Nevermind. I have bigger things to worry about than what wand Albus was using. His original wand works well enough for me and that’s all I really need to know. Still I might keep that other wand around now that I’ve gotten curious about it. There might be something about it in some of his copious notes. Should only take me a decade or two to get through them. Damn magpie of a man.

It’s a relief to be out of the rehab centre though I’m not sure I really wanted to be back here. This was always Albus’ place, not mine. Still not exactly my choice and Merlin knows it’s safe. Still might get Rhisiart to set up Ariana’s portrait in the basement of the pub. Or maybe the attic. Wouldn’t mind getting back in to see what kind of mess has been made of the place. Might be wiser to leave for the moment though. Don’t think Alastor would appreciate me disappearing at random times right now. Don’t blame him.
[/Ward]

[Warded to Alastor Moody & Frank & Alice Longbottom]
Well, I seem to be back in sound mind. Great Merlin, I do dislike taking potions of any sort, least of whatever concoction they were forcing on me there. I can assure you that I am me, in all particulars. Travers never really did have much of a go at me. I think he was a bit hesitant. Had me doped to the gills at the start, though that wasn’t entirely his fault. I suppose he wasn’t to know that I have abnormal reactions to the more common calmative potions. I was high as a kite the first time he spoke to me. Looking back on it, it was highly entertaining. I think I was trying to braid my beard.

But anyway, onto less amusing things. Anything I ought to know about that’s gone on in my absence?
[/Ward]

[Warded to Severus]
Well, son, I’m out, de-potioned and in my right mind again. Assuming you ascribe to the theory that I was ever in my right mind in the first place. I have to say that I rather dislike Gaius Travers and his little den of iniquity though I have a feeling I drove him slightly round the bend. But that’s his fault for not checking for adverse reactions to potions.

So how are you and is there anything I ought to know about?
[/Ward]

[Warded to Tabitha MacFusty]
How are you feeling, my dear?

[/Ward]

[Warded to Doris]
Thank you for your timely rescue, my dear. It was very much appreciated.

[/Ward]

[Warded to the Order]
Thank you all for the rescue. I was getting quite bored in that wretched place... when I wasn’t doped to the gills that was. Travers is a terrible host – the room was too small, the bed too hard, the potions mind-altering and the food was terrible. I don’t recommend it as a holiday destination at all.

Glad to be back amongst you all.
[/Ward]

Apparently I'm dead, killed by terrorists who were attacking the rehabilitation centre. Strange. I feel oddly healthy for a dead man.

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	Abe. fortiscadere 2009-08-18 02:34 am UTC (link)
	Thank Merlin. Some of the stuff they had you on - well, I knew Travers was no healer, but honestly. I honestly don't know where to begin. (Reply to this) (Thread)

	Severus theoldgoat 2009-08-18 03:01 am UTC (link)
	Seen my records, have you? I suppose I ought to have told someone that I have an adverse reaction to many of the common calmatives but then I would have been robbed of Travers' reaction to me trying to braid my beard. Pepper has told me some of it. The Longbottoms, Remus and Sirius, the Dark Lord being dead. Though he was a little light on details in some cases. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Abe.

fortiscadere
2009-08-18 03:27 am UTC (link)

Yeah, I went on a fishing expedition for Moody, which reminds me that I need to tell him what's gone on with everyone that I could find information for. I wanted to come visit you, but I didn't know if you would - I mean, eventually I would have made it there, but I didn't want to draw attention to it.

~~I've missed you.~~

Good - I don't know if he knows all of it to tell, actually. There's been a lot.

The Longbottoms are dead, so is Rodolphus Lestrange. The Dark Lord is also dead, Lupin was a spy, Potter was being a Purist for a while, but he seems to have snapped back to himself.

Um. The Death Eaters are getting desperate. At least, that's what it feels like to me. And Agatha knows what I've been doing and I didn't have to obliviate her and she didn't leave me. I rather thought for certain one or the other would be true.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Severus

theoldgoat
2009-08-18 03:47 am UTC (link)

I would have entertained you if nothing else. I didn't see Travers that much thankfully. I didn't think much of him the one time I did.

Lestrange is dead as well? That's quite a coup. I gather that's had some result within the upper echelons?

What happened with the Longbottoms and the Dark Lord? Pepper didn't say much and he said you'd know more. He did tell me that little Neville was killed as well.

James Potter as a Purist? Now there's a strange thought. Was he any good at it?

You told her? Good. I know you wanted to protect her but better that she knows the truth and is ready to face everything head on than get blindsided at the worst possible moment. You know I'll do what I can to protect her as well.

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Abe.

fortiscadere
2009-08-18 04:04 am UTC (link)

Yeah. Lestrange is dead. Frank did that before - the main result seems to be that there is no one with any subtlety or intellect left within the Inner Circle - unless I happen to have any intellect or subtlety.

Yeah. Lily's still - I'm not certain there's any July babies left except for her kid. ~~I should have never~~ The Dark Lord killed the Longbottoms... and mostly I think the Order thinks that the Longbottoms killed the Dark Lord but actually they didn't.

Potter was pretty damn good actually.

Yeah, I know you will Abe and I appreciate it. She's trying to learn Occlumency and right now is just mostly staying in the house - which to be honest nobody really knows where it is - so we're as safe as we can be.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Severus

theoldgoat
2009-08-18 04:19 am UTC (link)

Given that you are acting as a spy right under their noses, I'd say you possess more intellect and subtlety than the lot of them put together. But that does work in our favour.

I'd tell you not to feel guilty but I'm sure you won't believe me. None of us had any way of knowing how that fool would react to something as wishy-washy as a prophecy. Isn't there an Unspeakable among Scrimgeour's lot? Ask him how many prophecies are made that never come to pass.

Who did kill the Dark Lord?

Merlin, I loathe using that name for him. But I have a very nasty suspicion on how I got caught. I just didn't know it could actually be done.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	Abe. fortiscadere 2009-08-18 04:23 am UTC (link)
	I hope so. I haven't felt particularly subtle the last few days - they've been annoying the hell out of me. Yeah, well, if I hadn't told him he wouldn't have gone after the Longbottoms and the Death Eaters wouldn't be going after Lils - at least not in the way they are now. I did. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Severus

theoldgoat
2009-08-18 04:33 am UTC (link)

Ah, I gather our release has been causing ructions?

They would all still be targets nonetheless. Hindsight is twenty/twenty, son. There was no way of predicting that he would actually believe it.

So Albus was right. He said to me once: 'Tom Riddle is just a man. A powerful, warped and twisted one to be sure but a man nonetheless. He wishes us to believe he is more and every person who does so gives him more power. Because a man may be defeated and he knows that.'

Well done, Severus. I cannot imagine it was an easy thing to do and I wish I could have taken your place and spared you the worry and anguish but I am so very proud of you for doing it anyway.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Abe.

fortiscadere
2009-08-18 05:17 am UTC (link)

Merlin. Yes. First off everyone that was not there to help 'defend' the centre was expected to 'apologise' to Gaius Travers as if we were disloyal somehow for not magically knowing the centre needed to be defended, and then Travers got promoted - I don't have any idea how to explain that one seeing as how he lost all of you,

I suppose not.

He is or was rather. It was weird though it was just bones left. I've not really had time to think about what that means - if it even means anything at all - but I don't know what.

Thanks Abe. I didn't know if it would work, and certainly he's not given the impression of being able to be killed, and it did explode my wand - I had to get a new one. I was terrified to be honest, but it had to be done and I had the opportunity to do so and I think we've got a chance now.

And we have to have a chance. The Inner Circle is talking under wards about abandoning all pretence of a democratic government. They're searching owls, they're cataloging people's lives, and if we can't stop them then I don't know what England's going to be like in a year or two. And to be honest, if we can't stop them, I want to take Agatha far away from here, because I don't want her to have to live here. I don't want to have to live here. She's kind of amazing Abe. I don't know - I mean, there's still a lot that we're figuring out, but she's been supportive and she certainly didn't have to be.

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Severus

theoldgoat
2009-08-18 10:01 am UTC (link)

That's a very interesting tack to take. I'd imagine that they've managed to alienate a large number of their followers? I do hope that continues. Unenthusiastic followers are always useful.

Just bones? That is strange. I do recall Albus saying something about him experimenting with magic but I confess I wasn't in the mood to pay much attention at the time. One of many regrets. I'm planning on going through Albus' notes in regards to his wand so I can look out for anything on Him and what he might have done to himself.

He wanted you to have that impression. Ambitious underlings are less likely to contemplate assassination if they think it's futile. Though the exploding wand is also intriguing.

If they're thinking of going down that route then we have a damn good chance. It's too soon. They haven't subjugated the people into apathy. People still remember the good times under the previous government. They won't stand for tyranny. Though if you can safely encourage them on such a path, do so. The more they trip over their own feet, the better for us.

It seems that Rodolphus Lestrange did one good thing in his life then. I'm glad. And I understand wanting to leave. Though if what you say is true, I don't think it'll drag on that long. That will only happen if the upper echelons regain some sense.

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Abe.

fortiscadere
2009-08-18 03:20 pm UTC (link)

I wouldn't know. I used to know if not what many of the Death Eaters my age were thinking, at least what my friends were thinking. I'm not convinced I know that at this moment. I can't think when the last time was that Demetrius and I had a conversation of more than one or two word sentences. ~~I miss~~

I wonder if they're not afraid - after what happened to the Burkes? It's no better a life for those of us who were his followers - is it? We have jobs and families and things are 'normal', but they aren't. If I'm guessing, knowing what people have thought in the past as a guideline, there are people who don't like everything we've done and there are people who are angry about the promotions, but we can't even express doubts to each other for fear and I feel like I'm losing what few friendships I had among the Purists that actually meant something to me. I suppose it was inevitable. And it's just symptomatic of the problem with this world - it's I guess ultimately why I'm fighting with the Order.

Just bones. Sometime we can sit down and discuss it more thoroughly. Maybe Professor Dumbledore knew something we don't. It was really odd; I'll give you that. Oh - and I think the Order thinks that the Longbottoms killed him. At least, that's the story Mooody said he was allowing them to believe. So - you probably shouldn't let on that I told you otherwise, but I wasn't going to lie to you about it. You're family.

I haven't discouraged the move at all, I think ~~Mr Avery~~ there are a few people who realise it's not the smartest thing, but I don't know how loud they'll speak up.

Mr Lestrange was always good to me. I know it's not worth much, but he treated me well, all things considered, and he gave me a lot of opportunities I wouldn't have otherwise had, and not just the Death Eating type.

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Severus

theoldgoat
2009-08-18 08:09 pm UTC (link)

Fear is most likely. They know that if the populace were to rise up in revolt then they don't have the numbers to hold them off. So they hope to cow them into submission. They're using the same tactics with the Death Eaters except it'll works as poorly there as then the general public since most of the Death Eaters are used to a privileged life, getting most of what they want. I suspect Lestrange's death, given the aura of invincibility he had, has reminded them they are as mortal as anyone else.

Not a bad idea to let them think that. It means you don't have to deal with people's questions as I think many of those questions you wouldn't be able to answer.

That might be worth monitoring if it can be done. As much as I wouldn't mind dealing with more sensible people, if they're wedded to the cause, they'll have to neutralised.

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	Abe. fortiscadere 2009-08-18 10:05 pm UTC (link)
	Yeah. Well, we none of are invincible are we? It feels as if that ought to have been obvious from the beginning but I think people tend to overlook things unless it's important to them. Yeah. This won't ever go away will it? I mean, the being a Death Eater thing. People are always going to associate me with it. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Severus

theoldgoat
2009-08-18 10:45 pm UTC (link)

That's never been in doubt and if it was, Albus' death should have convinced them otherwise.

No, probably not. However I will do everything I can to see your name is kept clean and clear if we win this and I know Moody will do the same. He is loyal to those who are loyal to him. Like or dislike has never really come into it. And if we win we will be able to reveal you role to Scrimgeour and he is a just and fair man as well.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Abe.

fortiscadere
2009-08-18 10:59 pm UTC (link)

Not if you tend to turn Professor Dumbledore into a fool - not, you know, that I'm saying he was. But I'm saying they do - which was really a mistake anyway. The Dark Lord knew he wasn't one. But that didn't mean he didn't have his own arrogance.

I suppose there's nothing really to talk about what might have been. If I hadn't joined, I wouldn't have been here to give you lot information - so, in the end I suppose it's been at least useful, if not good. I hope so. I have no idea what I'm going to do if I ever don't have to be a Death Eater.

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	Severus theoldgoat 2009-08-18 11:13 pm UTC (link)
	Oh, Albus certainly helped with that impression. It was fairly calculated from what I can tell. Albus didn't often do things without some sort of motive behind them and he'd much rather have been underestimated than overestimated. You'll get a job you like, spend time with your wife and have children whom I can spoil outrageously. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Abe.

fortiscadere
2009-08-18 11:16 pm UTC (link)

It's always better to be underestimated than overestimated and I'm beginning to get used to the reality of it. Sometimes I'd like people to know what I can do, but then I remember what that actually means.

Yeah. Well, I'm not certain what job that will be. Is it odd that Mr Avery has me half interested in law? I think I can handle spending time with Agatha though ~~and I am not having children~~

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