Order Only: In the woods

[alt_kingsley]

Frank and I are here with Sirius, Snape and Macnair, the latter three all looking exceedingly grim. Sirius scraped through his adventures the other night all right, just exhausted. Poppy isn't here, of course, but we used our knowledge of rough field medicine to give Snape and Macnair a wand-point physical, and for the most part, they're in satisfactory shape, considering that they've been fugitives for months. Macnair had a ulcerated absess on his foot (holes in his boots), which we managed to heal without any problem. Snape's teeth are a miserable rotten mess. We did the best we could to clean them up, but it'd probably be a good idea for a certified healer to look them over, too. We undoubtedly missed a cavity or two. We've given them some new (well, used) robes and footwear, and with the help of some Aguamenti and shaving charms to get rid of the stubble, they're definitely less disreputable.

Severus Snape looks as though Azkaban aged him a good twenty-five years ahead of schedule. His hair is gone to greyish-white, and a lot of the humanity has been leeched out of his eyes. Macnair's a passable woodsman, apparently, so they weren't starving, but neither of them has much flesh to spare. Frank pulled out his ever present camping kit, and Snape's and Macnair's eyes certainly glistened when they saw the food. Macnair bolted his, but Snape lingered over the meal, as if trying to suck every molecule of taste out of each bite. (Maybe his teeth still hurt, too.)

In the mad scramble during the night of the full moon at Hogwarts, it seems that the three of them quickly cobbled together an alliance based upon the agreement that none of them want to kill Harry Marvolo. Now we have to decide what to do with the two of them.

They tell us they want to join the resistance. Of course, these two, unlike Minerva, willingly took the Mark, which must certainly give us pause. The thought of Macnair throwing in his lot with us sticks in Frank's craw in particular, I think, because the man actually crossed wands with the Aurors, back when he was part of Voldemort's bodyguard, at the time of the fall of the Ministry. I'd especially like to hear Remus and Minerva on this, since they worked side by side with him for awhile at Hogwarts.

They both consider themselves personally betrayed by the Lord Protector, although both shut up and looked uncomfortable when Sirius asked them flat out how. When we pointed out that there was no way we were going to trust them without knowing a good deal more about them, Snape responded calmly that he knew that perfectly well, and he wasn't stupid enough to throw his lot in with people who'd be foolish enough to trust him merely on his say-so. 'Particularly when I know they've been such idiots in the past,' he added pointedly to Sirius, who glared back at him.

Anyway, it's clear this means we need a magical interrogation. Neither one is happy about it, but they're resigned to the fact that it's necessary. We don't have a decent legilimens in our ranks, so that's out. Snape unexpectedly volunteered that he's too good an occlumens for it to do much good for us anyway--which is a point in his favour; he didn't have to offer that information. And then, as if that wasn't enough to aggravate Sirius, Snape went on to say that he doubted we had anyone who could brew decent Veritaserum. HE could, but of course we wouldn't trust his brewing.

That leaves the Pensieve, I guess. Minerva, I think we'll have to arrange a hand off so that we can borrow it again.

Once they're cleared, we can begin thinking about what to do with them. Sirius' first thought was that we should stash 'em with some of Davidson's people for now. Frank and I pointed out and then Sirius agreed with us that it's a better idea to separate them. At the very least, we'd have a better chance of getting to the bottom of what they know and what they're up to if they aren't given the opportunity to corroborate their stories with one another.

Any ideas, let us hear 'em.

I'd better put this down and get back out there. We're being careful to keep two of us awake at all times that they're both awake, and Frank's eyes are drooping. It's my turn to take the watch.

Comments

[alt_frank]

regardless of what we decide to do with them, we need to make sure we keep our eyes on them. like sherwood -- i'd rather keep tabs on what they are doing than let them go off on their own.

they can't do much right now, not without wands or a place to have as home base. and snape has been hiding how tired and weak he is -- trust me. I've been there. they're fairly dependent on whatever we can give them, and the best thing they've got going for them is intel.

snape's is several years old, but macnair was His bodyguard for a good long while, and he could tell us more about security, and high-ranking members. we can also sort out his perspective on the people at hogwarts, like the carrows, as well as lestrange.

I am also dead curious about the connection snape claims to the old man. and lily, too, although he's kept very quiet about her so far. that's my reason one for wanting the pensieve. I want to know what the old man said to him.

we haven't mentioned names of other people we've got in the order, so min, they don't know about you yet. or the weasleys. and yes, they saw remus, but he wasn't in his junius ponds get up, so tonks is safe too. and we're not talking about moddey dhoo either, obviously.

neither of them are idiots, so they probably suspect some sort of connection between sirius and hermione, but if we're lucky they'll just chalk it up to harry keeping in touch with him and leave it at that.

they didn't seem overly surprised to see me, but like I said, they aren't idiots. I didn't cross paths with snape too often, at least not to my knowledge seeing as how they all wore those damn masks, but I have a reputation, don't you know. and macnair, I certainly do remember him.

very well.

[alt_sirius]

I can see why he'd want to keep his ugly mouth shut about Lily, Frank. He was obsessed with her at school. As if he hadn't been creepy enough just on general principle.

It's true that Dumbledore trusts where a lot of others wouldn't do but I don't see how even he could think Snivellus had anything but lies to offer. Bet that's why he got all scowl-faced when Kingsley mentioned the Pensieve, anyway. He's probably lying about getting Dumbledore's endorsement.

I do agree that it's imperative neither of them see anyone else in our ranks, not until we're good and ready.

[alt_kingsley]

You know, my friend, I think he would be much more likely to cooperate with us if you refrain from calling him 'Snivellus.' At least while he's in earshot.

[alt_sirius]

Trust me, that's about the best thing I could call him - in or out of earshot.

[alt_alice]

If it's that hard to stay civil, love, perhaps you ought to limit your conversations to Macnair?

Perhaps splitting them up would be a good idea. I know you two were at one another's throats while at school, and I can tell Frank is none too happy to be talking with Macnair, and that might be clouding both your judgements.

[alt_sirius]

I'd like to limit my conversations to --

Yes, all right. You're right. I'll behave if he does.

[alt_alice]

And how've you been? Had a chance to sort through what happened yet?

I'd imagine it was good seeing Harry like that.

[alt_sirius]

I'm still processing. And trying to figure out just how all this changes things.

It was good - but not near long enough. He's so big! I mean to say, he's not even as tall as James was at 14, I don't think, but .... And he's got Lily's eyes, Allie. Everything else is James. He's just like them both.

Thinking about him going back to that monster - it just makes me so angry. I hope for their sakes that Macnair and Sniv Snape have some decent ideas about how to bring Voldemort down because I swear by Morgaine it can't be much longer. I'd trade my life gladly if it meant getting rid of that maniac. I'd walk straight into his 'throne room' and cast the Killing Curse if I thought it had a hope of success.

Which Macnair says it wouldn't, by the way. Seems to think Voldemort's got some form of protection that keeps him from being killed by the usual methods. That much he's already volunteered.

Though he could be lying. Hard to tell with that accent.

[alt_alice]

I know you don't like it, but it does sound like they could really help us.

Merlin knows we've been treading water for years now. This might give us what we need to really make a difference. I know, I know, we make a difference to those children we save, but there is so much more work that needs doing, and there is only so many of us out there willing to do it.

[alt_lupin]

I'm very sorry about Wednesday night. It all got so hectic, but I know that's no excuse for letting myself get distracted to the point of putting everyone at risk, even the children. Especially the children, apparently. I never could have forgiven myself if something had happened to any of them. Harry might never get the chance to know, but Hermione, I hope you'll consider my apology, although I don't expect you to accept it.

Anyway. Walden Macnair. I thought I knew him, for a while, but I suppose it's difficult to really get beneath the surface when we're all hiding so much. These days, it's just not safe to give too much of yourself away to anyone.

As someone who has been through a somewhat similar experience of proving himself after a period in the wilderness, I think we owe it to Macnair, and Snape, to allow them a chance to explain, if they're inclined to take it. They're not the only ones who've made regrettable choices, and allies are a commodity we could certainly do with gaining, especially allies with some degree of insider knowledge and information about our enemies, even if it is a little out of date now.

And they took the Vow. That counts for a lot.

As for how we might extract genuine and trustworthy information, I'm afraid I haven't a clue. Snape may not be the most skilled at social niceties, but he's most certainly intelligent enough to find a way around almost any way we might devise to test his loyalty, should he so wish. And Macnair's sharper than you might think too.

The pensieve sounds like a good place to start. If they've been travelling together for a while, I wonder if we might obtain information on Snape from Macnair, and vice versa. They may be more willing to give up things they've learned about each other than things they want to hide about themselves, especially if they're to be separated.

I certainly don't envy you chaps the task.

[alt_bill]

I'd certainly like to hear more about what they've been up to since escaping Azkaban. It's thought that one of tbem got into Hogwarts, maybe more than once, right? What were they after, if it wasn't to kill the Marvolo kid?

[alt_mcgonagall]

I can only say one thing - "these two, unlike Minerva, willingly took the Mark"? I willingly took the mark, Kingsley. I chose, since it was the best option available to me. At the time, I have no doubt I would have agreed with you - I would have said that these young men deserved every criticism. Now I cannot be so black-and-white.

[alt_poppy]

Oh, no you don't. Stopping you right there.

You may think the worse of yourself for the choice, Minerva, but you did it to protect us.

Not because you subscribed to his ideas or his methods or wished to be part of his regime. Certainly not because you thought him brilliant. Nor because you admired the Dark Arts or coveted the power and powers they could confer on you. Nor because you had fantasies of immortality.

Let us not forget what drew that generation to his so-called cause. Nor what horrors have ensued because they succeeded.

I will NOT have you confusing this matter with your regrets. We all, every one of us, regret that you were forced to take that step. And we are all, every last one of us, grateful that your doing so made it unnecessary for any of us to do the like. We cannot know what it has cost you to compromise yourself in this way, but this is not a moment to lose sight of the very definite difference between the time and circumstances under which you took his mark and those under which these two men did so.

[alt_molly]

I agree absolutely. If you had really joined with him, wouldn't your first act have been to betray the Order? No, indeed: instead you have done what you could to protect us. Indeed, you couldn't have protected us so well if you hadn't taken that Mark.