Private message to Jason

[alt_seamus]

They're saying Virgil Crispin is dead. Killed by someone from the Order of the Phoenix.

That Auror Crouch knows who did it, but isn't saying.

Was it Draco?

What happened?

Comments

[alt_jason]

Yeah, I'm almost as in the dark as you are.

Crouch and Lady Lestrange are keeping it close for now, but I did run into him before the debriefing. His mood was absolutely raging. Moreso than I've seen in a while.

Anyway, yeah, Crispin is definitely dead, and it was definitely a Phoenix.

[alt_seamus]

I'll steer clear of Crouch. Though at least whatever happened today wasn't my fault.

They just...killed him? Or did they kidnap him? Right there in broad daylight -- wasn't he with Baddock?

[alt_jason]

He was whisked away and killed shortly thereafter, is what I heard. The riot was a ruse, probably arranged by Peel, who used to be one of ours, as you likely know.

Anyway, it doesn't bode well.

[alt_seamus]

Did they kill him quickly or slowly?

And yeah. Everyone always fancied Peel. Everyone else, I mean.

[alt_jason]

He was killed not too long after his capture, so quickly--relatively speaking, of course.

Wish I could tell you more.

Are you perturbed, or just curious?

[alt_seamus]

Perturbed.

[alt_seamus]

Crispin was my sponsor.

But also

They didn't really have a reason to hate him. Not really. Other than him being a Councilwizard.

[alt_jason]

It's not hate, it's strategy.

They want to win, Seamus.

And they might do.

But you already know that, right?

[alt_seamus]

I was at the Battle of Hogwarts from the moment it started until Professor Desai ordered us to retreat. I lost my foster-father and my best friend during that battle.

Yeah, I know they might win.

[alt_seamus]

I mean, I know Padma's not dead.

But I lost her all the same.

[alt_seamus]

And it wouldn't be strategy if they tortured him.

[alt_jason]

Yeah, but they might not win, too.


But if they did, what would you do?

[alt_seamus]

I'd try to die well.

[alt_jason]

And what if I want to live?

We're going to part ways like that?

I hoped for something better, if I'm honest. I hoped not to part ways altogether.

[alt_seamus]

They might go easy on you but they won't on me, if they win.

[alt_seamus]

Years and years ago Mr Rosier took me on a fishing trip early in summer hols.

Well, I guess it wasn't that long ago. It was after my fifth year, after -- after my mother. And after Dominic Selwyn tried to kill Our L Him.

He said it was just fishing, but -- on the day of the solstice, we went so close to the ward it

I think he thought it was going to drop. I don't know why. But it didn't. And then we went home.

I've never told this to anyone. Even Padma.

[alt_jason]

So would you say that Rosier's priority was protecting himself and you, above all? Even over his service to the Protectorate?

You can tell me the truth, you know I won't judge either way.

And have you ever crossed the wards? I mean, I suppose you must have, being the Irish Prince. But it wasn't fun or pleasant for me. What's it like for you, since it's connected to your blood and whatnot?

[alt_seamus]

We didn't talk about it, afterward.

But -- yes, his priority was protecting himself and me. Over anything at all. He'd lost one son, and he didn't want to lose another. So instead, I lost him.

I haven't crossed the Irish wards because I haven't been back to Ireland since I was eleven. I've heard people have a lot of trouble with them. Mr Rosier said that because they were made with my blood I'd be able to cross them freely, I wouldn't even get sick.

But it wasn't the Irish wards he was experimenting with that day two summers ago, it was the one that goes around the Protectorate itself. Where we were, Mr Rosier could feel it in the air, it was annoying and distracting but not awful. For me it was awful. Mr Rosier tried to pretend I was just seasick but we both knew that was a lie.

That's why I thought he was waiting for something. Waiting for the wards to drop. Because normally he'd have taken me away from there straight off. He backed off just enough that I could stand it, and then he waited there. For hours.

[alt_jason]

Yeah, I didn't think the fishing boat had gone all the way to Ireland--just wondered what those particular wards did to you.

The Protectorate wards have been unstable ever since wossname died. Could be they won't last much longer, even.

Would you have gone with him, if he'd gotten out?
And would you have been happy about it?

[alt_seamus]

I wouldn't have had much choice about going with him, really. We were on a boat and he'd made sure we didn't have anything with us like brooms or a flying carpet. We didn't even have our diaries, probably because he was afraid I might write from the boat and let MLE know what he was up to.

I wouldn't have, though. I mean I wouldn't have tried to stop him from taking us out, and I wouldn't have tried to leave him, if I'd had a broom, so I guess the real answer to your question is yes. I don't know if I'd have been happy about it. Maybe eventually. I don't really know what France is like.

[alt_jason]

Say things go tits up here, and say you want to live like I do instead of dying well--

If I can find a way out for us, would you come with me?

I'm not saying I am what Rosier was to you, or anything, (because aside from the fact that you haven't known me nearly so long, that has rather unsavoury connotations to it, doesn't it?) but I'd like it if you'd come along.

[alt_seamus]

Look, how worried are you? They got Crispin, sure, but we're hardly dropping like flies yet.

Anyway, I'd follow you just about anywhere, but you'll have to put me in a full body-bind if you want me anywhere near the wards. Cruciatus is worse, but that's not saying much.

[alt_jason]

You said you were perturbed.

So I'm telling you that if the flies start to drop, I'll get the both of us out of here. That alright with you? Sounds like it is. Good then!

There, now we can stop being perturbed and move on to other things.

Interested in full body-binds, are you?

[alt_seamus]

Depends on who's casting them and why!

[alt_jason]

Sounds like a topic worth exploring.

Well, I'm as awake as you are.

[alt_seamus]

On my way, then.