The Order of the Phoenix, Post War Meeting I
Date: Tuesday, 18 July
Time: 1:00 p.m., sharp
Place: Staffroom at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Characters Involved: Any and All Order of the Phoenix Members, and Invited Guests for this meeting.
Rating: At least PG-13
The workers, as when Fleur and Luna had come for lunch, were all concealed from view, even as the sounds of construction and magic could still be heard through the walls, a low, humming vibration. The front doors were thrown open, and sconces were clearly lit throughout the corridors from door to staff room. The room was larger than others might have remembered it, possibly expanded for this purpose - it was very likely Hogwarts would now have to be Order Headquarters, since Grimmauld Place could no longer be used - at least by new members. The 'inner circle' would, no doubt, continue to use it.
The 'Auror guards' of the various invitees were eagerly met at the door by Filch, who graciously took them to the Great Hall for a complimentary meal - something several of them protested against until Minerva scowled at them at the door of the Staff room!
Food and beverages were scattered about on sideboards and low tables, and Minerva allowed chatting and mingling to go on until the clock within struck one, at which time she seated herself at the long table - a new addition to the centre of the room, surrounded by numerous chairs in addition to the usual squashy arm chairs and sofas throughout the room.
"We will begin, then," she said loudly to be heard over the hum of conversation. "We have much to discuss - welcome to our guests. The Order of the Phoenix was founded by Albus Dumbledore during the first war with V.voldemort, when the Ministry was too engrossed in its own bureaucracy to realise the danger. It disbanded almost immediately when Voldemort disappeared, and reformed at Albus' call when he returned again. None of us had expected to need the Order of the Phoenix in peace.
"Clearly we were mistaken.
"The Ministry Registry is a travesty, which ties the hands of many of our more effective members, as well as effectively punishing honest citisens while allowing true criminals to wander free. At this time, open defiance of the Ministry would accomplish little but incarceration of the Registrants. Those of you working in the Ministry will now be asked to begin working through legal channels to revise or repeal the Registry altogether. Arthur - you have experience in drafting legislation, and I am sure you have the support of Tonks and others - if you will lead us in this? Letter-writing campaigns to the Ministry and the Prophet have been effective in the past - if they are massive enough. The Ministry must feel the weight of public disapproval before it will act, and we must all do our part.
"Lucius Malfoy clearly understands this, as his book clearly demonstrates. Even those of us who know, without doubt, what he is, have had our certainty waiver upon reading it - the author is very gifted. Lucius will not wish to remain on the Registry - it will thwart his ambition for Public Office. In this case, our paths will parallel - if Lucius is using his weight against the Registry as well, our chance of success is greater.
"The Registry, as you know, is merely a smaller part of a larger problem. The Ministry wants to turn a blind eye to genuine danger while offering the appearance of effectiveness. As little as we care for it, the Registry does create the slightest bit of restraint for Bellatrix Lestrange - nothing insurmountable for her, by any means, but without it, you can well bet she will disappear and be more difficult to monitor.
"Our most pressing issue, at the moment, is Fenrir Greyback. He is completely unfettered by anyone or anything, he has a target-certain in mind, and we know he will attack again, it is merely a matter of when. I believe measures are being taken - aside from the Auror protection - to enhance the safety of the Weasley family. What we need now is a workable plan to find him before he strikes again.
"Speak only of what you know, and mention no names unless you are asked for them - even here, particularly in the presence of guests - we must always assume information can be leaked, and names provide targets for our enemy."
She stopped speaking long enough to offer a wry smile to everyone in the room, lingering longest on the guests.
"Welcome, again, to the Order of the Phoenix."
Time: 1:00 p.m., sharp
Place: Staffroom at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Characters Involved: Any and All Order of the Phoenix Members, and Invited Guests for this meeting.
Rating: At least PG-13
The workers, as when Fleur and Luna had come for lunch, were all concealed from view, even as the sounds of construction and magic could still be heard through the walls, a low, humming vibration. The front doors were thrown open, and sconces were clearly lit throughout the corridors from door to staff room. The room was larger than others might have remembered it, possibly expanded for this purpose - it was very likely Hogwarts would now have to be Order Headquarters, since Grimmauld Place could no longer be used - at least by new members. The 'inner circle' would, no doubt, continue to use it.
The 'Auror guards' of the various invitees were eagerly met at the door by Filch, who graciously took them to the Great Hall for a complimentary meal - something several of them protested against until Minerva scowled at them at the door of the Staff room!
Food and beverages were scattered about on sideboards and low tables, and Minerva allowed chatting and mingling to go on until the clock within struck one, at which time she seated herself at the long table - a new addition to the centre of the room, surrounded by numerous chairs in addition to the usual squashy arm chairs and sofas throughout the room.
"We will begin, then," she said loudly to be heard over the hum of conversation. "We have much to discuss - welcome to our guests. The Order of the Phoenix was founded by Albus Dumbledore during the first war with V.voldemort, when the Ministry was too engrossed in its own bureaucracy to realise the danger. It disbanded almost immediately when Voldemort disappeared, and reformed at Albus' call when he returned again. None of us had expected to need the Order of the Phoenix in peace.
"Clearly we were mistaken.
"The Ministry Registry is a travesty, which ties the hands of many of our more effective members, as well as effectively punishing honest citisens while allowing true criminals to wander free. At this time, open defiance of the Ministry would accomplish little but incarceration of the Registrants. Those of you working in the Ministry will now be asked to begin working through legal channels to revise or repeal the Registry altogether. Arthur - you have experience in drafting legislation, and I am sure you have the support of Tonks and others - if you will lead us in this? Letter-writing campaigns to the Ministry and the Prophet have been effective in the past - if they are massive enough. The Ministry must feel the weight of public disapproval before it will act, and we must all do our part.
"Lucius Malfoy clearly understands this, as his book clearly demonstrates. Even those of us who know, without doubt, what he is, have had our certainty waiver upon reading it - the author is very gifted. Lucius will not wish to remain on the Registry - it will thwart his ambition for Public Office. In this case, our paths will parallel - if Lucius is using his weight against the Registry as well, our chance of success is greater.
"The Registry, as you know, is merely a smaller part of a larger problem. The Ministry wants to turn a blind eye to genuine danger while offering the appearance of effectiveness. As little as we care for it, the Registry does create the slightest bit of restraint for Bellatrix Lestrange - nothing insurmountable for her, by any means, but without it, you can well bet she will disappear and be more difficult to monitor.
"Our most pressing issue, at the moment, is Fenrir Greyback. He is completely unfettered by anyone or anything, he has a target-certain in mind, and we know he will attack again, it is merely a matter of when. I believe measures are being taken - aside from the Auror protection - to enhance the safety of the Weasley family. What we need now is a workable plan to find him before he strikes again.
"Speak only of what you know, and mention no names unless you are asked for them - even here, particularly in the presence of guests - we must always assume information can be leaked, and names provide targets for our enemy."
She stopped speaking long enough to offer a wry smile to everyone in the room, lingering longest on the guests.
"Welcome, again, to the Order of the Phoenix."