Notes and Letters....
[Owl to Valentin von Hollweg]
(this message is written in German)
Felty,
Before I get a flood of letters from you enquiring after the situation with the werewolves, let me tell you that I'm more worried about how this will affect things politically. I'm sure you're aware that we don't have the sort of government-sponsored periodic flushing out of werewolves that happens in most countries on the Continent. If such things have to happen (deplorable as they are) I would much prefer that they were government-sponsored and run by trained professionals -- NOT by a mob of ill-trained civilians mucking about with torches and pitchforks and melting down their grandmothers' silver tea services. It's only a matter of time before someone is bitten, or worse, and Fudge's power base is none too stable at the moment. If he's toppled by this...I hate to think what will happen in this country.
I'm sure your office is on stand-by alert, so I know you'll get this at work. Keep an eye on the papers, and send me any clippings on this matter from the Berlin and Geneva dailies. If you can get your hands on anything out of Paris or Brussels, I'd appreciate that as well. If France or Germany start a 'protective quarantine' on Great Britain, you'll have your work cut out for you.
All my love,
Poppy
[Preliminary Notes and Observations for Coroner's Inquest]
(these notes are written in an neat block hand, and sealed for delivery to Coroner's Office along with the deceased)
Name of Deceased: Terrence Boot
Sex: M
Age: 16
Status: Sixth-year student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Ravenclaw House
Lineage (if considered germane to the investigation): Muggleborn
Reason for inquest? Unnatural death -- caused by violence, unknown circumstances surrounding death
Time of Death: Estimated to approximately 8-12 hours before body was found.
Assumed Cause of Death: Single stab-wound (specific type of weapon used as yet unidentifiable, but examination of the edges of wound suggest a knife or other bladed instrument) in upper left torso. Position of stab wound and evidence of internal and external haemorrhaging indicates that immediate cause of death was stabbing through the heart, with subsequent severe blood loss.
Observations: No defence marks on hands or arms. Little bruising around wound. No bruising on hands or arms, or other signs of struggle against assailant. Amount of blood at the scene did not correlate to type of wound, location of wound, or nature of attack.
Personal Notes:
By my conclusions, the lack of defence marks indicate that assailant possibly was known to the victim. (Of course, this lack could also indicate a surprise attack, one in which the deceased was taken unawares and somehow left unable to defend himself.) The insufficient amount of blood around the deceased is an possible indication that either the assailant or a person or persons unknown attempted to clean up the scene of the attack. The positioning of the wound suggests that the assailant may have had some knowledge of human anatomy, as it is difficult to stab a human being in the heart with any degree of accuracy. (See Ingleby and Hardt, Introductory Forensic Handbook Volume II, pp. 206-225.)
Conclusions: Possibility of death by suicide or misadventure extremely unlikely. Further conjecture to wait until official inquest proceedings have begun.
[signed and sealed: Poppy Pomfrey, Healer and School Nurse, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry]