The Journal of Edgar Bones...

[ Saturday May 31st, 1979 -- 7:56pm]

I feel like this deserves a public announcement, since I'm notoriously awful at actually sending out invitations. I once forgot to invite anybody to our anniversary, and that was before I actually started using my journal...so you can imagine how frosty that morning-after was(!) And so I'm getting them out now; this way, people have enough time to make their plans and what-have-you.

Next Saturday is my son Francis' thirteenth birthday. We are throwing him a party at The House, and inviting a variety of guests: Francis' schoolfriends, should we manage to arrange the proper permissions with their families and Professor Dumbledore; my colleagues at the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, family friends and associates...sadly, I fear Francis' party will quickly become a family party -- it has been much too long since Lena and I had a gathering, and now seems an ideal time for it. If you believe that you should receive an invitation from me? Then you just had it delivered in this note.


[ Warded Private to the Order of the Phoenix ]

A "variety of guests". I don't think that you can get much more varied than our little gang of misfits, can we? You had better all be there, Lena's making a cake the size of our drawing room. That said, deciding on exactly how you're acquainted with the Bones family might be a wonderful idea, in case Scrimgeour Pepper comes and asks around.

[ /Private ]

[ Warded Private to Self ]

I can't sleep. This is hardly news, of course, but recently it's been building to a point where it's interfering with my work. Lena has noticed -how could she not? We are as in tune as ever- and she wonders whether the Aurors are pushing me too hard. She asks for time off! How do I tell her that time off would only make things worse, would make me linger on the fact that my kids are in constant danger, my wife is itching to declare open support for the Order (despite the fact that I've never so much as breathed to her that I'm a member) and the Ministry faces more opposition every day?

Something drastic needs to be done, I think. Some important message to level the playing field...but I have no idea what. Keep your eyes open, Bonesy. See something that the others have missed, and go take it. We're too much on the back foot.

[ /Private ]

[Warded Private to Millicent]

Finally had time to sit and read the papers this morning, over a very tasty egg and bacon sandwich. Quite why I felt the need to describe my breakfast to you, I don't know...

...The rapidly-disappearing point of this is to let you know that I owe you a pint, at the very least, Mrs Bagnold. Your potentially-incendiary and possibly authority-infringing letter was exactly what we needed. I'm just sorry that the Prophet saw fit to stick it down in the newspaperly equivalent of the Isle of Drear.

Has Barty seen it?

-Bones.
[/Private]

[Monday, May 19th 1979 -- 12:15pm]

[Warded to the Order of the Phoenix]

I have been giving this a great deal of thought, and I think I might have come to a decision. However, given that this organisation is one in which all members have an equal say, I thought that I would put the idea to the public (all right, not public, but you know what I mean) opinion before I make an attempt.

As we know, there has been a clamouring to have Octavius Pepper Obliviated -- either through experienced and other, much less qualified, means. Let me be the one who vetoes that idea completely: Pepper is a colleague of a number of us here, although I don't think that either Alice, Frank or Alastor have worked quite so closely with him as I have in recent weeks. The man is no more of a Death Eater than I am, and any of you who wants to argue that point can take it up with me in a free and clear forum where your paranoia and unjustified fears will be heard out in full. However, even if Pepper isn't one of them, he's sticking his nose in and we can't let that continue -- even people who mean well can cause a lot of trouble in wartime by going where they're not needed.

So. Even though I've put my foot down on Obliviating him, that doesn't mean that all mind magic is out. If everyone is sold on the idea, then I'm willing to get him alone and introduce a few...conflicting memories. Memory modification, and subtle stuff at that. Completely overwriting his memories will just make things worse: he's bound to have backups, and then he'll KNOW he's getting somewhere. But if I introduced new memories on top of old ones, give him different accounts inside his own head? That could confuse him enough onto the wrong track, without leaving obvious magical footprints behind us. This is only an idea: please, talk about it and suggest improvements.

[/Private]

[Warded Private to Self]

It's all getting so much harder. What we did with Selwyn, we did because it was the right thing to do. It wasn't easy, to willingly commit to using the Unforgivables, but it was right. Dark Magic to serve...what? To serve The Light? I sound like some Middle Ages crusader. I don't have time for things like that, but I've always tried to hold what Dumbledore told me at the forefront of my mind. Choosing between right and easy is difficult, and of course I would have preferred not to use those awful curses, but it was necessary.

The thing is...the thing is, it's getting easier. I find myself going to my wand much earlier these days, and it's bound to have repercussions. What I'll do is set myself boundaries, that should make it easier. I'll never use the Cruciatus again: there's no point. It was useful in that situation, but Rufus' warning was right: I should never do anything that I wouldn't put in a report. But I just said that it was the right No Killing Curse. Ever. Ever.

When did everything get to be so confusing?

[/Private]

[01:17am] May 8th, 1979.


[Order of the Phoenix]

I will be unavailable for the next few days. Feel free to draw your own conclusions as to why.

[/Order]

[ Warded Private to the Order of the Phoenix ]

We may have a huge problem on our hands. All right, let me amend that ever so slightly: I may have a huge problem on my hands. The Diagon incident brought with it a Death Eater, who has been sitting in our cells ever since. Octavius Pepper (all of you, watch your step with him) and I were charged with extracting whatever information we could from him -- speaking of which, I'll be releasing everything he told us to you lot as soon as all this has blown over.

In any case, he's turned up dead. Roman Selwyn. Is anyone familiar with him? Apparently he killed himself, but bugger if that doesn't fly with me: the big-headed bastard thought far too highly of himself to deny the world of his beautiful, charming presence.

This is the last thing I need. There's going to be fallout over this: all the Aurors are going to cop it, but Pepper and I might well have been the last people to see him alive. Fuck. This is bad...very, very bad and potentially compromising.

FUCK!

[ /Private ]

[ May 3rd, 1979 -- 1:28pm ]

[ Warded Private to Octavius Virginia Phyllis Pepper ]

Are you busy? Let me give you a clue: the answer to that is 'no'.

[ /Private ]

[ Warded Private to the DMLE ]

Rufus. I've had some feedback from a small section of the population. They'd like to know whether or not we can consider implementing a swift punch to the teeth as a legitimate questioning technique.

I told the lady that I'd take it up with you.

[ /Private ]

[7:29pm] April 23th, 1979.

[Warded Private to the Order of the Phoenix]

I took a trip north this afternoon (and if anyone at the Ministry asks, I swore off with a terrible stomach ache) to speak with Dumbledore, and we've come to a decision. I say we, what I mean is he's come to a decision and I'm reporting it to you all because he has to plan everything and keep hundreds of rowdy students in check. I don't know how he does it -- I catch Dark Wizards for a living, and I'd sooner go toe-to-toe with one of them than try and engage with a sixth year Gryffindor.

Tangent. Getting back to the matter at hand, he's agreed that Miss Agnes O'Hare should be made a full member of the Order of the Phoenix. Consequently, this also means that she should be included in our wards -- I would mention her presence and appropriate behaviour at meetings, but that might be like closing the stable roof after the Abraxan has flown off(!)

Congratulations, Agnes. I'm sure you'll do us proud. Everyone else, feel free to congratulate or squeal, as appropriate to your personality.

[/Warded Private]


...Ooh, my poor stomach.

[6:52pm] April 16th, 1979.

Well, a hearty thank you to all of those who came to class on Monday morning. Those of you who didn't arrive on time or at all should note that further non-attendance will result in much greater punishments than those Howlers I sent out yesterday. On that theme, let me apologise for insinuating what I insinuated about your grandmothers, but I've often found that casting aspersions on your ancestry will usually galvanise even the most reluctant employee into action.

The next class is on Thursday, at 7:30pm. That will only be a short one, enough time for me to give out your personal awkward-social-situation role-play assignments, because our main class will take place at 8:00pm on Friday. This was the only time that I was able to get a babysitter, and -surprise surprise- she's on double pay Friday nights. This is why the wizarding world needs to move away from a monetary system - so that Edgar Bones doesn't get fleeced by greedy little adolescent con artistes.

Rufus, Lena says that she hopes you like turkey. Apparently, it is what a great deal of next week's lunches will consist of. For both of us.

[10:29pm] April 9th, 1979.

[Warded Private to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement]

I'll not beat around the Flutterby bush about this, because it only serves to make me sound even more like an old schoolmaster than I will anyway. In his infinite drunken wisdom, Auror Scrimgeour has decided to place me in charge of a certain new drive that will teach both the Hit Wizards and the Aurors how to remain calm in a battle situation.

I've tentatively called this new drive "How to Remain Calm in a Battle Situation." As you can see, the title really sparkles.

Obviously, we all know what we're doing. We've all been through the training, and though Merlin wouldn't bloody know it to look at most of you, we're all mature and skilled individuals. But right now the goals are shifting, and nobody's exactly sure where the Quaffle's going to land or who's going to get a face full of the Bludger when it does. We've been given authority to use the Unforgivables, and that kind of power can turn the heads of far nobler people than us lot, myself included...

...although obviously much less included, otherwise I wouldn't be the one running this bloody thing. In any case, I'm going to start running these things soon, and attendance is mandatory. Attendance is not 'show up if you feel like learning how not to go to prison until you're mad enough to eat your own head', it is considered a required part of your training. How does 4am every Monday sound to people? I'm kidding...actually, it might be a good
[/Private]

[06:36am] April 5th, 1979.

A little early, perhaps, to be writing in one's journal, but I have eaten breakfast and find myself with a surplus of time before work. Reading the newspapers give so little joy these days that I have begun to avoid it until after my work day begins, and there isn't quite enough time to go stark raving mad, so I turn to my journal in an attempt to while away the minutes until I must Disapparate.

Except now I can't think of anything to write, other than my continued pride in my sister. I think Lena is waking, so I may put the kettle on to boil for when she descends.

[Warded Private to Rufus]
In amongst all the new stirring over certain new reforms, have we given thought to a new training course in 'How To Restrain Yourself'? I trust our boys and girls, but...accidents happen in the moment. I know I don't have to explain to you.
[/Private]

[11:40am] March 13th, 1979

Work continues as normal. It is good to be alive today.

[Private to Self]

Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.

[/Private]

[19:25pm] March 10th, 1979

Let me state outright my approval of the new Ministry guidelines. Whilst it could be argued that the measures are not perfect, I have full faith in both the skill and competence of my colleagues. In the hands of dangerous people, these powers might seem unbalanced: I, however, have always believed in the fundamental goodness of the Auror Office and the Hit Wizards. If I did not, I would not still number myself amongst them.

Britain is not safe. Moreover, Britain will never be safe for as long as we allow the playing field to be so uneven that Aurors are forced to combat the Dark Arts half-blind. We must embrace these new guidelines as a society, and place our trust in the authorities set in place to protect us...but we must also realise that those powers are to be relinquished when the danger is passed. An excess of power leads to tyranny, but so too does an excess of liberty lead to anarchy.

[ Warded Private to the Order of the Phoenix - Stubby Boardman and Agnes O'Hare included ]

I've noticed one or two of us mentioning that these new guidelines are a good thing -- I'm naming no names, Sirius Black, but you know who you are. Thing is, you might not have noticed that every one of those new guidelines could be applied to us. The Order of the Phoenix is persona non grata, so far as the Ministry's concerned: all of us Aurors could (and probably would) be fired if the Office found out what we were doing in our spare time. Fired, at the very least. But that doesn't mean you're safe, just because you don't work for The Man.

Proscribed organisation? Perhaps not quite yet, but the Minister certainly isn't keen on us putting it very bloody lightly. We're skirting an impossibly fine line right now, and I imagine that'll intensify as time goes by. And it might not even be much time, either.

If the Ministry of Magic get enough reason to declare the Order a proscribed organisation, then we will have a much harder time of actually doing something meaningful. It could even mean a decreased Auror presence in our ranks, and I don't want any of us to have to make any tough choices unnecessarily.

Bottom line: Watch what you say, and watch what you do. You don't know who is paying attention, and you certainly don't know what damage your ill-chosen words could do to the Order. These are dangerous waters we're sailing into, and the lines are starting to get distinctly blurred: I don't want to say 'trust nobody', because that's an invitation to panic and paranoia, but...well, just trust very bloody few people.

[/Private]

[21:03pm] February 28th, 1979

Did I mention that Lena is thinking of having a get-together for everyone we know? Consider this an invitation, because I'm buggered if I'm going to force people to come to my house and drink all my alcohol -- the Blacks and the Malfoys might love their little parties, filled with significant whispers and social slights, but the Bones family stands for having fun at their shindigs. The less people know about what's going on, the more chance that the people who actually go will enjoy themselves. I can't stand parties with ulterior motives...seems unsporting, somehow.

If you're interested, more information will follow. If you aren't, then you're most likely already dead.

[Aurors]
In order to keep everyone in the loop, my investigations down Knockturn were fairly fruitful: Amelia and Rufus have already received my report on what happened, but certain subsequent events mean that I've found it prudent to update the rest of you. If you'd rather I didn't, Rufus...well, it's too late, now. Sorry.

I spent the evening of the 23rd questioning a hag, going under the name of Garesse Gwythe. She was...somewhat uncooperative, but I secured various bits of information from her, regarding the Hogsmeade attack and the Death Eaters' stance towards the dark creatures. I won't bore you with the details, but it's safe to say that things don't look good. It seems like they've been making overtures to the Dark races, and if they're not going to jump at the chance for some more freedoms, then I'm a Knarl's aunt.

Last I heard, she was safely under protective custody in Azkaban; I negotiated a little leeway in her sentencing in return for the exchange, but Merlin only knows whether she's still in prison or not. She'd better hope so -- that Pepper bloke told me that some Death Eaters have been asking after her whereabouts...my instincts tell me that it's to find out how much she told us, but...

...I could be wrong. Doubt you'd expected me to say that, hmm? Anyone got any other ideas?
[/Aurors]

[10:52am] February 7th, 1979

Oh, ha ha ha. Whilst this certainly isn't what I had in mind when I asked for a new hat to replace my old one, I must admit that the thing fits like a glove. Or, indeed, like a particularly well-fitting hat. My compliments to the mysterious donor who purchased such a fine piece of headwear: whether your intention was sincere, or simply a way to poke fun at my documented enjoyment of top hats, I intend to start wearing this wherever possible, probable or in any situation where it won't get my head blown off. Hopefully this one will irritate Moody just as much as the last one apparently did.

[Auror Office]
I have been asking around, ruffling a few feathers here and there where I can, and I may -may- have something to go on. I'm heading out to Stratford in about an hour, to spend my day conversing with tiny provincial scumdrops on the off-chance that they know something that can help regarding this attack. Don't all rush to come with me.
[/Aurors]

[Order of the Phoenix]
Might as well throw the question out to people other than the Prewetts (as much of a goldmine of knowledge as they are, of course): anybody holding any information on the overseas witches and wizards that our mortal nemeses have recruited? I'm buying a pint for whoever's the most helpful. Or, if drinking's not your thing, some kind of woollen item.
[/Order]

[9:58pm] February 4th, 1979

I'm going to need a new hat. For some reason, my old one is all bent out of shape. This might be due to the fact that some cretin decided to wrap it in ropes and squeeze the dickens out of it. Inside's all twisted up...and I kept a perfectly serviceable quill inside that hat, too. Needless to say, it won't sit on my head right anymore, no matter what I try - so I'll need another one. If anyone's in the market for buying me one, just to thank me for years of service or some such, then I prefer darker colours.

[Warded to the Auror Office]

So I'm not dead, you'll be pleased to note. Don't think anyone on our end is, but am I wrong? Spent a day or two sorting out the situation and then I went and reassured my wife. You might also be pleased to note that she gave me a bigger bruise than anyone involved in the attack did, for keeping her waiting. I swear, the women in this family are unbelievable.

Off-topic. I'm doing what I can to assist in the damage limitation, but I doubt anyone's going to disagree when I say that public speaking isn't my best feature. I might just head back into the office and work on my filing. Nothing jumps out and crushes your hat when you're filing.

[/Warded]

( Edgar Bones for Blurred Lines )