Private message to Miss Minx

[alt_jason]

This protocol 13 business is getting tiresome. And I'm speaking for nearly everyone here, not just myself.

The Units are getting weary of having to try the forced-transformation on every mouse or rat that skitters across our path, and since they're getting weary, they're also getting sloppy and lazy. At least when Crouch isn't around.

That's good news for you, isn't it?

Though let's be honest, there's no way that your form is that of a mouse or rat.

Comments

[alt_rachel]

Well, that's definitely better news than, 'we've caught some hapless animagus; one of yours?'

[alt_jason]

Nothing so far.

Are you ever going to tell me what you turn into?

Or would you rather I guess?

[alt_rachel]

Oh, by all means. Guess.

[alt_jason]

This ought to be a laugh.

I'd say "mink" because it sounds like "minx" (and is sleek and soft, as well), but I don't think that's right.

Turtle?

[alt_rachel]

Turtle?!?

You're not even close.

[alt_jason]

It's a bit slow and plodding, and I'll admit that doesn't fit, but it's also heavily armoured.

Cat?

[alt_rachel]

Nope.

[alt_jason]

Let me try a different question: when you discovered your form, were you surprised?

Or did it seem to fit?


We both know what kind of creature you think I'd be.

[alt_rachel]

I was a bit surprised.

Can't say whether you'd be surprised, or not.

[alt_jason]

Well, you always were rather good at surprising me.

So perhaps my guessing is a hopeless venture, yeah?


But if I did know, and my Unit came upon you in animagus form, then it could be to your benefit. For all sorts of reasons.

[alt_rachel]

True, though I would rather not stake my life on your ability to create a last-minute distraction.

I mean, this is a rather personal question. You got some bit of personal information you'd care to share in exchange?

[alt_jason]

I'm a person, so I probably have some personal information, yes.

Don't really know what kind you'd be interested in, do I?

[alt_rachel]

Can you cast the patronus charm? You could tell me your patronus.

[alt_jason]

It's a red fox.

I'm utterly serious.

[alt_rachel]

Well, clearly I was prescient then. Or clairvoyant. Or something.

Do you know why Voldemort Marked you? You really were rather an unusual choice. Your parents weren't Councilwizards (nor any uncles). The Montagues aren't one of the Sacred 28. You weren't the special protege of Bellatrix Lestrange. Add to that the fact that he couldn't read your mind and it's just ... surprising, I guess.

Anyway, I turn into a hedgehog. Small, but not terribly practical for spying; people tend to notice them. They're also terribly out of place anywhere but a garden party.

[alt_jason]

He did not, in fact, ever sit down and tell me.

Maybe it's precisely because he couldn't read my mind. Just to keep a close eye on me. But then that wouldn't explain why you and everyone else who can't be read weren't also marked, too.

So I haven't rightly got an explanation for it.


Noticeable as human, and noticeable as animal. That part, at least, doesn't surprise me.

[alt_rachel]

I doubt anyone would ever describe me as adorable as a human, however. Though 'prickly' is a possibility.

I wasn't ever called to Court, so I'm not sure when he'd have noticed he couldn't read me. Were you taken there by someone? I can't imagine your Marking was the first time you'd ever been in his presence.

[alt_jason]

Sarah's father took me to court twice before he died. I was doing impressive work in those days, apparently.

Anyway, it still came as a right shock. And so soon after what happened in Ireland, besides. I guessed that Crouch would see to it that I was out of a job, after that, and yet I got called in to take the Mark, instead.

Life's funny.

[alt_rachel]

If Crouch had been allowed to sack every person who hacked him off, the Auror department would have consisted of himself, Bellatrix Lestrange, and possibly Lana Sandoval but I think I'm just forgetting something.

I can see why the Mark came as a surprise, though.

[alt_jason]

Minx-

Gateshead, Inferi. Tonight.

[alt_rachel]

Inferi?

[alt_rachel]

That was good intel. Thank you. No Inferi, but I'd much rather come prepared than be surprised.

None of our missing know your name. They know I have a source, and they know you're on the list of people to avoid engaging with, and avoid lethal force with. There are enough names on that list to give you some camouflage, I think.

[alt_jason]

Antonin Dolohov's been making inferi. I thought it better to alert you to the possibility of their presence. I'm not sure what exactly they're planning to do with them, but he's been tasked to make 5,000.

Cheers for the cover.