[video] - .waxing.plum.
- [color key: Tonks, Lupin] -
[filtered again to Arthur, Byakuya, Hermione, Hughes, Lust, Merlin, Shirley, Trevor]
[ Video on: picture shadowed. Shadow lifts as Lupin finishes setting the forge down and moves away from it. He leans back and the light exposure adjusts. Viewscreen focuses on Tonks and Lupin both looking into it. Behind them is the fountain of the Clinic courtyard. ]
As promised, my report on what I learned of the Lestrange situation. To share with others, especially in the Alliance, at your discretion.
[ He looks at Tonks.
Tonks lets out a breath and for a moment, looks away. She then inhales another breath before looking back at the forge. Her lips form a thin line. ]
I lured Bellatrix Lestrange to the Ruins. I placed a symbol in the sky that she’d recognized and want to find the source. I had every intention of killing and then burying her.
[ Almost off-screen, Lupin touches her hand. ]
I didn’t do it though.
[ Briefly, she looks at Lupin before continuing. Tonks will keep this as matter-of-fact as she can. ]
I couldn’t make myself do it but I couldn’t just leave her there to and allow her to cause more harm. I tampered with her memories instead. I think I went back before she became a Death Eater but I’m not sure. I’ve never been terribly proficient with memory charms.
[ Lupin debates for a moment translating “Death Eater” for the uninitiated but decides to leave it for now. ]
Lestrange is currently confined to a private room at the Clinic. Tonks, Merlin and I have set up protective wards-spells-to keep her contained and… isolated. Access is limited to those who will check her health status.
I recommend she remain at the Clinic for the foreseeable future. First: because between Shirley and myself, there is a constant presence which will keep the wards strong and active. Tonks and Merlin have also expressed willingness to aid the upkeep. Second: she’s still unconscious. We can’t predict what she’ll be like when she wakes up. The clinic may prove the most appropriate place.
Third…
[ He glances again at Tonks, as if for confirmation. Not that this is a secret, he just keeps going back and forth on whether it’ll improve their… well, legal claim, if anyone’s concerned with such, or not. ]
Third: Tonks is Lestrange’s niece. On our world, and I believe most of yours, blood relatives have certain rights and responsibilities, legally, to make decisions; especially in cases of incapacitation or illness. I believe we can reach an official diagnosis that Lestrange is mentally ill.
[ Tonks grows silent as Remus speaks over the forge. Her posture isn’t meek but neither is it aggressive. ]
In our world, at least in my time, she was in prison. She was sent there for crimes that I’d rather not talk about in great detail. They were horrible.
[ Most know that Bellatrix had also held Tonks for more than a week. Does she really have to say that again? She doesn’t want to.
Almost seamlessly, Lupin jumps in again; ]
For those who don’t already know, it may be relevant to explain: on our world, Tonks is an Auror. That’s our title for an agent of the law, answering to the Ministry of Magic. Their jurisdiction includes the capture and detainment of magic-wielding convicted criminals. By the laws of our world, capturing Lestrange is Tonks's right and responsibility. We know if everyone started behaving only by the rules of their own world, Anatole's infrastructure would be in jeopardy… but in this instance I'd argue this action was compatible. In my ignorance, I also may have forced her hand.
We…
[ A pause; this time for thought. As much as he’s mulled this, he still hasn’t quite figured out how to articulate it. ]
What I was trying to say in my last broadcast- [rueful smile] …as it turns out, extremely badly-was: we may all be capable of tackling impossible issues on our own. Our homeworlds acclimated us to the idea that that was our role. But here in Anatole… even if we can try to take on something single-handed… we don’t have to. We can include and rely on one another. That way we avoid being at cross-purposes. And we don’t have to try and prevent each other. Because we are incapable of truly protecting each other. Certainly not from ourselves. Except perhaps by way of…
[ Remus looks again at Tonks, hoping the right word will come to him.
Tonks looks back at Remus, she half-smiles at him. She reaches for his hand and gives a squeeze.
He smiles back, looks again into the forge, and shrugs. ]
Well, you tell me.
Our next intention is to find Lestrange’s stronghold-which should be easier now that she’s not maintaining the wards on it-and, if she’s still there, rescue Freya. And anyone else who may be held there. We believe we can handle this ourselves, and it may be best for us to do so: as practitioners of the same magic, we’re best suited to identifying and disarming any remaining traps Lestrange may have left, which could put others at risk. But we’re not interested in behaving unilaterally. If anyone has anything to add.
[filtered again to Arthur, Byakuya, Hermione, Hughes, Lust, Merlin, Shirley, Trevor]
[ Video on: picture shadowed. Shadow lifts as Lupin finishes setting the forge down and moves away from it. He leans back and the light exposure adjusts. Viewscreen focuses on Tonks and Lupin both looking into it. Behind them is the fountain of the Clinic courtyard. ]
As promised, my report on what I learned of the Lestrange situation. To share with others, especially in the Alliance, at your discretion.
[ He looks at Tonks.
Tonks lets out a breath and for a moment, looks away. She then inhales another breath before looking back at the forge. Her lips form a thin line. ]
I lured Bellatrix Lestrange to the Ruins. I placed a symbol in the sky that she’d recognized and want to find the source. I had every intention of killing and then burying her.
[ Almost off-screen, Lupin touches her hand. ]
I didn’t do it though.
[ Briefly, she looks at Lupin before continuing. Tonks will keep this as matter-of-fact as she can. ]
I couldn’t make myself do it but I couldn’t just leave her there to and allow her to cause more harm. I tampered with her memories instead. I think I went back before she became a Death Eater but I’m not sure. I’ve never been terribly proficient with memory charms.
[ Lupin debates for a moment translating “Death Eater” for the uninitiated but decides to leave it for now. ]
Lestrange is currently confined to a private room at the Clinic. Tonks, Merlin and I have set up protective wards-spells-to keep her contained and… isolated. Access is limited to those who will check her health status.
I recommend she remain at the Clinic for the foreseeable future. First: because between Shirley and myself, there is a constant presence which will keep the wards strong and active. Tonks and Merlin have also expressed willingness to aid the upkeep. Second: she’s still unconscious. We can’t predict what she’ll be like when she wakes up. The clinic may prove the most appropriate place.
Third…
[ He glances again at Tonks, as if for confirmation. Not that this is a secret, he just keeps going back and forth on whether it’ll improve their… well, legal claim, if anyone’s concerned with such, or not. ]
Third: Tonks is Lestrange’s niece. On our world, and I believe most of yours, blood relatives have certain rights and responsibilities, legally, to make decisions; especially in cases of incapacitation or illness. I believe we can reach an official diagnosis that Lestrange is mentally ill.
[ Tonks grows silent as Remus speaks over the forge. Her posture isn’t meek but neither is it aggressive. ]
In our world, at least in my time, she was in prison. She was sent there for crimes that I’d rather not talk about in great detail. They were horrible.
[ Most know that Bellatrix had also held Tonks for more than a week. Does she really have to say that again? She doesn’t want to.
Almost seamlessly, Lupin jumps in again; ]
For those who don’t already know, it may be relevant to explain: on our world, Tonks is an Auror. That’s our title for an agent of the law, answering to the Ministry of Magic. Their jurisdiction includes the capture and detainment of magic-wielding convicted criminals. By the laws of our world, capturing Lestrange is Tonks's right and responsibility. We know if everyone started behaving only by the rules of their own world, Anatole's infrastructure would be in jeopardy… but in this instance I'd argue this action was compatible. In my ignorance, I also may have forced her hand.
We…
[ A pause; this time for thought. As much as he’s mulled this, he still hasn’t quite figured out how to articulate it. ]
What I was trying to say in my last broadcast- [rueful smile] …as it turns out, extremely badly-was: we may all be capable of tackling impossible issues on our own. Our homeworlds acclimated us to the idea that that was our role. But here in Anatole… even if we can try to take on something single-handed… we don’t have to. We can include and rely on one another. That way we avoid being at cross-purposes. And we don’t have to try and prevent each other. Because we are incapable of truly protecting each other. Certainly not from ourselves. Except perhaps by way of…
[ Remus looks again at Tonks, hoping the right word will come to him.
Tonks looks back at Remus, she half-smiles at him. She reaches for his hand and gives a squeeze.
He smiles back, looks again into the forge, and shrugs. ]
Well, you tell me.
Our next intention is to find Lestrange’s stronghold-which should be easier now that she’s not maintaining the wards on it-and, if she’s still there, rescue Freya. And anyone else who may be held there. We believe we can handle this ourselves, and it may be best for us to do so: as practitioners of the same magic, we’re best suited to identifying and disarming any remaining traps Lestrange may have left, which could put others at risk. But we’re not interested in behaving unilaterally. If anyone has anything to add.