Order Only - Private message to Alice and Severus

[alt_sinistra]

Tosha wrote. The first time since - since December and everything. I can show you the message, and Alice, I know you're busy, but part of this is time-sensitive.

Some of it's about books (and I've no idea if there's a hidden message in there, there might be, but I'd need a couple more books to figure out if there is. They'd be easy for Jeremy or Nick or someone to pick up.)

But then he says that Severus making it clear he's in the Order makes him sure that Draco's alive. That, and knowing me and knowing Poppy, and knowing that there's things she and I wouldn't be party to. (Only it's more complicated than that, isn't it, but he's right about Draco. Sorry, I'm babbling.)

And then he gave me an ultimatum - that Narcissa needs to know. (Which she does, obviously, but he doesn't know that.) He says: "Does Narcissa know her son is still alive? Because if she doesn't, that is incredibly cruel of you. You have a week to find some way of telling me that she does that will satisfy your people in charge and their security measures, before I take care of it myself."

Obviously, I can't say anything to him in the journals, that'd put Narcissa at risk, he knows people are reading, and I won't do that. (Even if I hadn't promised Alice I wouldn't write.)

And I suppose the worst that could happen is that he tells Narcissa in a week, and she has to sort out what her reaction is with no warning, but honestly, Narcissa's Narcissa, and I'm sure she'd manage well enough. But I can also think of ways we could manage a private enough note, maybe. (I'm quite sure he'd go a very long way to avoid hurting her or putting her at risk.)

And then he said something - one of the Russian proverbs, it's about not talking about rope in the house of a hanged man - that he knows his entries might be read (well, especially to me) but in a way that makes me wonder what else he put together. And then he ends with "Give Miss L my best. And the other whose location I think you know."

And that might be Poppy, but I'm rather thinking it's Cedric he means, only that wouldn't be safe to say at all. Or acknowledge.

Comments

[alt_severus]

Interesting. I wonder what else he has put together.

You realise, of course, that his ultimatum is a double-edged sword: if we do not send word to him, he will likely assume that means Narcissa already knows, because we would not let his ultimatum go unanswered if she did not. (If she did not, our move would be to contact him and tell her that she did — in the hopes he would take our word for it and not confirm with her — and therefore, he will assume that if we do send word, he will need to tell her, while if we do not, he will not. Unless he believes I am advising you, in which case he will assume I have explained his likely line of thinking and reverse those outcomes.)

I wonder if he is attempting to goad you into giving him some sign that you are alive and well.

Alice: Draco ought to know about this, whatever you decide.

[alt_sinistra]

About Narcissa, quite. I don't know that there's a way through that that's got any certainty, just that I needed to tell you two, and then whoever else from there.

He left a second comment, while I was writing, about trying to figure out what tipped me over the line. What I'd told all of you about him. About if I'd been plotting way back, with the YPL and Raz and being his friend (and deciding not, but - well.)

As to the goading - I think he misses me as much as I miss him. Not that that does anyone any good.

[alt_alice]

Agreed regarding Draco.

I must admit, my first thought was that silence would be the better move -- let him assume whatever that might mean, and if he tells Narcissa his beliefs regarding Draco, so be it, I see no harm in it. Confirming that we have been in touch with her puts her in a decidedly more awkward position, and whereas he may not take that at face value, others certainly might.

[alt_alice]

...And if he were to interpret our silence as a necessary move for Narcissa Malfoy's safety, well, I also see no particular problem with that.

[alt_severus]

Hm.

Sinistra — what were you thinking as means by which to send the message? I can think of several options, of varying levels of security, but you know him best.

I am concerned that Narcissa might accidentally give away that Auror Brodie has been her contact, should Dolohov go to her with his suspicion. With Dolohov so close to Crouch, that may be something he feels honour-bound to report.

[alt_sinistra]

I did think at first that silence doesn't give more away, much as it may make things harder for Narcissa. And Narcissa's skilled at dissembling, even with no warning, but he does know her very well.

A note, my first thought was an anonymous owl from somewhere to Cottesmore - his London house - with instructions for his elf to bring it to him directly. I'm not sure it'd work if Barty were at home, but we could sort out the timing so it'd be unlikely.

Or, I suppose, there's coded messages in marzipan, sent to the school. I sent him something of the kind a couple of years ago, charmed words onto marzipan books, and I don't think it'd put the source at risk, just make it clear I had a way to get my hands on some. (They're in New London, and again, easy enough to lay hands on.)

[alt_severus]

I wonder. He mentioned books; could he have been hinting at a channel of communication? Can you think of a book title that might convey a message, but would be innocent enough to an observer that it would not automatically be assumed to be an answer to him?

[alt_sinistra]

That's the same line of thought I was wondering.

He mentioned the American Witches series - there's a couple of titles that might do as a coded message. Missing or No Safe Place maybe, though I'd want to double check the plots.

The first time, it was his birthday and he and the others were in Ireland, and I was commenting on Madam Pinkness with them. To give you the background. I think he'd look at them before eating. I think there's a fair chance mail to the school - even to him, if it's not under the ouroboros seal or coming with Berry - is being searched, though.

[alt_severus]

I am satisfied there are several ways a message could be sent in such a way as to plausibly be no message at all, then.

Let us see what Draco has to say before I attempt to change your mind, Alice.

[alt_alice]

I am willing to listen, certainly, and this is by no means set in stone.

And may I say, Siz, when I say silence, I am not forbidding communication -- only thinking through the best strategy regarding his question of Draco.

[alt_sinistra]

It's not my decision to make, and I know that. It's why I told you both immediately.

I keep thinking about the other parts of it, too, mind.

I have so many things I wish I could say to him

[alt_severus]

I have spoken with Draco, and he believes we should make no response; he feels Narcissa can handle matters well enough on her own.

[alt_alice]

I think that sounds reasonable.

He is unlikely to attempt to entrap her, but this is the safer route by far.

And what of the value in either remaining completely silent, or communicating enough to make it clear that one is capable, but chooses not to reveal certain information deliberately?

[alt_severus]

An all or nothing approach is almost certainly better, but allow me to think on this some more.

[alt_sinistra]

The thing that kept me up past dawn this morning (Victor has rather more diced potatoes than he was expecting, Alice) was Severus's point about there being more than one reason.

Which there is. It's Tosha, there's half a dozen reasons for whatever he's doing, at least.

Anyway. Of course he wouldn't want Narcissa hurting.

But if there's no answer at all, I'm wondering if he'd try some other ultimatum to get a response of some kind. And there's the rest of my family, still, he could make things difficult for, or other people.

Would it be possible to make a very indirect reply (the marzipan has a certain appeal here, really), that indicates I'm listening, and well enough, but after his ultimatum expires?